Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has fulfilled its vision of becoming a global centre of excellence in science and technology promoting the socio-economic development of Africa. Since its establishment, the University has produced world-class graduates (Teknokrats) who are excelling in all sectors of society. Notable among them is Teknokrat Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General, among others. KNUST alumni from the Republic of the Gambia are no exception.
A high-powered five-man delegation from KNUST recently went to the Gambia to launch a branch of the KNUST Alumni Association. The delegation was made up of Dr. Kwame Saarah Mensah, Professor William Otoo Ellis, Dr. Joseph Ofei Darko, Mr. Vincent A. Ankamah-Lomotey and Mrs Harriet Kingsley-Annan, the Global Alumni Secretary.     Â
The delegation visited a number of institutions, corporate organisations and alumni in the Gambia. Notable among the alumni in the Gambia were Teknokrats Momodou K. Chan, Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of the Gambia; Dr. Demba Trawally, Principal Research Officer of the National Agricultural Research Institution (NARI); Mr. Ebrima Sanyang, Managing Director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC); Mustapha Colley, Chairman, Board of Directors of NAWEC among several others.
At NAWEC, Mr. Ebrima Sanyang, who welcomed the delegation on behalf of the alumni, was grateful for the visit. He also thanked the University for the quality of the training they received at KNUST. According to him, the alumni at NAWEC were privileged to host the delegation as most of the staff, especially engineers, were trained at KNUST.
Teknokrat Sanyang said their training at KNUST had contributed to their success and that of other alumni in the Gambia and other parts of the world. He said both the practical and theoretical training he received, coupled with the field trips and opportunities to have internships at institutions such as Ghana GRID Company (GRIDCo), Volta River Authority (VRA) among others had immensely enhanced his career. He noted that all KNUST alumni in the Gambia were excelling and were occupying key positions, thereby making KNUST, Ghana and the Gambia proud.
He said that currently, the government of Gambia was making huge investments in human capital especially in capacity building of citizens in the sciences to spearhead the development of the country. It was therefore no surprise that many Gambians were pursuing science and technology education and KNUST had become the preferred institution in Africa over the years.
Dr. Kwame Saarah Mensah said it was heart-warming to know that the University was championing the vision of its founders especially the dream of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to link Ghana’s independence with the total liberation of Africa to demonstrate that the black man was capable of managing his own affairs. He further said this deepened the friendship existing between the two countries further promoting African Unity.
Dr. Kwame Saarah Mensah, assisted by Professor William Otoo Ellis, on behalf of the University and the Alumni Association, presented Mr. Sanyang with a plaque and KNUST souvenirs for being an alumnus of high repute and for his contribution to the development of Gambia’s energy sector.
Teknokrat Sanyang expressed his appreciation to the delegation and management for the honour. He also pledged to ensure the success of the alumni association and to champion the cause of the University and the alumni.