Inter-Faculty Lecture by Dr. M.K.A. Addai-Kagyah

Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 17:00
Venue: 
K.A. Busia Hall
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
INTER-FACULTY LECTURE
BY
DR. M.K.A. ADDAI-KAGYAH

BSc, MPhil (Ghana), PhD (USA)
(Department of Physics, Faculty of Science)
Topic: Climate Change and its Impact on Energy Security in Africa
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014
Time: 5.00 p.m.
Venue: K.A. Busia Hall
Chairman: Prof. Daniel Kwadwo Asiedu. Dean, Faculty of Science

ABSTRACT

The phenomenon of climate change has overwhelmed our world. It is quite evident, through many recent experiences of hurricanes and floods, epic drought and wildfires, and scorching heat-waves that climate change directly impacts lives and livelihoods throughout the entire world. The risks of climate change, which may be the culminating effect of Global warming, extend beyond people, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Climate change is also threatening the world’s energy sources and infrastructure, especially in Africa. The negative impacts and risks on energy security are daunting. However, alongside the risks several opportunities are also presented by the situation. In this presentation, the nature and causes of climate change and the general impacts are elucidated. In particular the impact it has on energy security in Africa is carefully surveyed.
The need to quantify and understand the dynamics of energy security or insecurity is also highlighted. Finally some recommendations are made regarding useful strategies that may be adopted in order to mitigate the energy security risks imposed by climate change.
PROFILE
Dr. Michael Kofi Addae-Kagyah, is an ICT Consultant, Systems Engineer, and a Physicist. His research specialization is in Energy Systems and Computational Physics. He is the leader of the Energy Research Group at the Physics Department. He joined the University of Ghana, as a Lecturer, in January 2010.
Prior to his appointment here, he worked as the Chief Consultant on a World Bank Project captioned “Improving the Management of Tertiary Education through ICT”. He has also worked in various organizations, both local and multi-national, in technical and senior positions, since 1993.
He is an alumnus of this premier university (during both BSc and MPhil education). He obtained his PhD in Physics from Utah State University, in USA, under the generous sponsorship of the US Department of Energy. In the US, he researched extensively into Thermonuclear Fusion Energy Production Systems. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), American Physical Society, ANSOLE, Institute for the Management of Information Systems, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Pi Sigma.