The late Professor Francis Allotey

The late Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey, while on earth, established himself as a great mathematician and scientist. He had a truly distinguished academic career that was admired by people the world over. He held a number of leadership positions in many organisations within and outside the country. In Ghana, was in charge of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Mathematical Association of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Physics. He also played a great role in the establishment of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Professor Allotey rose through the ranks of a Lecturer to become the first Ghanaian full Professor in Mathematics in 1973 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Later on, he became the Pro-vice Chancellor of the University in 1978. Within a few years he had become a widely known figure the world over. His fame rose very high due to his work on Soft X-ray Spectroscopy which became the principle widely known as the ”Allotey Formalism” for which he received the Prince Philip Gold Medal Award in 1973. Due to his brilliance as a scholar, he consulted for a number of organisations in the world. He was a consultant for the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Inter-governmental Bureau for Information and the United Nations Industrial and Development Organisation.

Professor Allotey was an international figure. His visits were numerous taking him to nuclear installations in Russia, Poland, Germany, Iraq and the US. He also visited other nuclear institutions in India, United Kingdom, Sweden and various parts of the world. Professor was involved in local and international programmes on policies and matters relating to science and technology for development. Professor Allotey saw science and technology as the key for socio-economic development. For him, if Africa was to develop, then there was the need to pay attention to the application of science as a way of addressing the numerous problems facing the continent including food production, water supply, good environment, shelter, safety, healthcare as well as alleviation of poverty. He strongly believed that mathematics was the foundation for solutions to many of the problems facing mankind and it is for this reason that he urged the youth in Africa to contribute significantly by researching into the extension of knowledge in mathematical sciences. This great national and international figure has left lessons for Ghanaians.

To begin with, he proved to be a proud son of Ghana, calling on everyone to work hard to achieve similar laurels. He was also a great encouragement to the youth and scholars in the country. He has proved that the study of mathematics and science can be demystified and applied for the growth of the country. The nation has lost an illustrious son whose interest in mathematics and science was beyond doubt. Let us make this icon of Professor proud and remember him by encouraging our young ones to take to the study of mathematics and science for the development of the country.

May his Soul rest in perfect peace!

By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Director of Corporate Communication, Ghana Standards Authority, GSA .

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