Prof. John Ofosu-Anim Delivers Inaugural Lecture

Prof. John Ofosu-Anim

Prof. John Ofosu-Anim, the Dean of the School of Agriculture (SoA) at the University of Ghana, has delivered his Inaugural Lecture on the topic, “Feeding Millions of Ghanaians: Is Organic Crop Production The Answer?”. The Inaugural Lecture, the fifth for the second semester of the 2015/16 academic year was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey.

Prof. John Ofosu-Anim shared a number of his scholarly articles which have been featured in high impact journals and have contributed significantly to the field of agronomy.

The lecture focused on the adoption of a more suitable and efficient crop production system to meet the demands of growing population. It further elaborated on how food security can be best sustained through a blend of Conventional Crop Production and Organic Crop Production systems. 

Prof. John Ofosu-Anim in his presentation shared perspectives on the importance of blending the two crop production systems. He noted that some benefits to be derived include the creation of large scale farms, the cultivation of uniform high-yield hybrid crops and also the conservation of biodiversity, while ensuring high labour efficiency and productivity through rapid technological innovation and large capital investments.

He noted that Ghana’s form of agriculture which is predominantly the organic system of crop production, is sustainable and environmentally friendly, but may not produce enough to feed the ever growing population, especially when there continues to be pests and diseases affecting farm produce.

To correct this and bring about effective disease control strategies and high food production, Prof. John Ofosu-Anim recommended increased investments in agricultural research and development by government. He further recommended an awareness creation by agriculture extension officers within agrarian communities to address skepticism surrounding new agricultural innovations, as well as an increase in capacity development in agricultural education at the tertiary level.

He also cited the recent phenomenon of seedlessness or Parthenocarpy in fruits which he developed at the University of Ghana. Such fruits included pawpaw, apple, tomato, grapes, cucumber, sweet pepper and pineapple, adding that this innovation can revolutionize food production.

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor

In his remarks as Chairman, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ernest Aryeetey noted that the lecture demonstrated the important role agronomists play in the country’s agriculture sector. He indicated that it was important for food scientists to allow field experiences to inform their research approaches, while probing into the best systems of use for efficient crop production. He lauded Prof. John Ofosu-Anim for sharing in-depth knowledge on the need for individual farmers, as well as policy makers to consider and blend conventional and organic systems of crop production in achieving food security in the face of growing population.

Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, Registrar

Earlier in introductory remarks, the Registrar of the University, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia said the inaugural lecture represents an essential component of the University’s public events, as well as helps create a wider awareness of the latest developments in the academic disciplines of the University. She noted that every academic who achieves the highest rank in his or her career in the University of Ghana, is encouraged to deliver an inaugural lecture. This she noted, offers the University an opportunity to recognize and showcase the academic achievements of its staff. She added that it enables the Professor to celebrate an important personal milestone as well as share their research works with family, friends, and colleagues within and outside the College.

   

Guests seated at the Great Hall

The Lecture was attended by Provosts, Deans, Directors, and members of the University community. Also present were colleagues, students, family members and friends of the Prof. Ofosu-Anim, as well as traditional leaders and their representatives from Amanokrom. Students from the Suhum Secondary Technical School, Prof. Ofosu-Anim’s alma mater also attended the Lecture.

There were a number of presentations made to Prof. John Ofosu-Anim to congratulate him.

Prof. Ofosu-Anim cutting a tape to open the week-long exhibition of his scholarly works. With him are from right, Prof. John Gyapong, Pro-VC (ORID), Prof. Ellis Edwin Badu, University Librarian, and Prof. S. Kwame Offei, Pro-VC (ASA)

Prior to Prof. John Ofosu-Anim’s inaugural lecture, a week-long exhibition of his works was held at the Balme Library. The exhibition centered on his research on the following areas; The Changes In Sugar Uptake By Excised Discs and its Stimulation by Abscisic and Indoleacetic Acids During Melon Fruit Development; Effect of Transplanting  Seedlings In Compost On Yield, Fruit Quality and Incidence of Wilt Diseases in Tomato; Identification of Endogenous Sources of Gibberellic Acid for Horticultural Crop; The Effect of Agrolyzer Foliar Fertilizer on The Production of Hot Pepper; Disbudding Effects on Growth Analysis of Celosia; among several other publications.

Prof. Ofosu-Anim taking officials through his exhibited works

  

  

  

Presentations to Prof. Ofosu-Anim

        

Prof. Ofosu-Anim in a pose with his wife and children after they made a presentation to him

 

Please click here to access details of impending Inaugural Lectures.