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Prof Acakpovi, aspiring Evangelist leading ATU’s transformation drive
Since his appointment as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Accra Technical University (ATU) in July 2023, Engr. Prof Amevi Acakpovi has set out on a transformative agenda geared at making the institution one of the best on the continent and the world.
His vision was to consolidate ATU’s position as the premier technical university in Ghana and brand it as the topmost technical university in Africa.
To achieve that, he has initiated processes to support human capacity development, seeking grants to re-tool laboratories, workshops and the library.
He is also working towards the establishment of a vibrant and dynamic graduate school at ATU.
Backed by a strong international network, his ambition is to promote national and international partnerships for increased visibility and promote stronger collaborations between the university and its key stakeholders.
Also with his Information Communication and Technology (ICT) background, Prof Acakpovi has shown keen interest in building a strong educational resilience in ATU by integrating sustainable virtual learning modules, with his research aspirations focused on making the university a technology hub; using applied research of all kinds and solving societal problems.
Engr. Prof Amevi Acakpovi is a Ghanaian citizen, a Professor in Electrical and Energy Systems Engineering. He is a Fellow Professional Engineer from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Electrical Engineering from the Lokossa Institute of Technology (Republic of Benin) in 2006, a Masters’ Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Abomey-Calavi University (Republic of Benin) in 2009 and a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering from a joint collaboration between Accra Institute of Technology and the Open University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2017.
Additionally, Prof Acakpovi holds a Certificate in Doctoral Supervision at African Universities from the Stellenbosch University in South Africa in 2019 and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Higher Education with Distinction from the Coventry University, UK in 2018.
Prof Amevi Acakpovi has served in many prominent positions in ATU including, Head of Electrical/ Electronics Engineering Department (2012- 2018), Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2018-2020) and the Pro Vice-Chancellor from 2020 till date.
Originally from the field of Electrical, Electronic and Energy Systems Engineering, Prof Acakpovi’s areas of research include Hybrid Energy Systems, Mini and Microgrid Optimization, Smart Grid Modelling and Optimization, Solar and Wind Energy Modelling and Optimization, Artificial Intelligence in Energy Systems and Recommender Systems.
He is the author of more than 120 publications in International Journals including IEEE conferences, and transactions as well as other SCI-Indexed and EIIndexed journals.
He has experience in teaching and learning at the Graduate and undergraduate levels. He has taught extensively Masters’ level courses and supervised more than 50 MSc. thesis, and five PhD thesis from various recognized Universities.
He has consistently acted as an external PhD thesis reviewer/ assessor in his field of studies at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, the KNUST, UENR in Ghana, and the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin.
He was recently honoured as an international tutor for the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) owing to his remarkable contributions in cosupervising PhD students and leading them to publications in top journals.
Prof Acakpovi was a recipient of many awards and laurels including the award of Excellence in Research and Development Leadership by the Solar quarter Grandmaster Award in February 2023; the award of the Decade Researcher at the Applied Research Conference in Africa (ARCA) in August 2021 and the Stairs’ Award of Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering, at Pune, India in December 2021.
He received in 2018, the Best Paper Award at the 7th IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology and subsequently the Best Track Paper Award in project management at the IEOM conference in South Africa in 2018. He has won many grants in his areas of study.
He successfully led a team to establish the ATU’s Sustainable Energy Service Centre with a grant by MIDA under the auspices of the Energy Commission.
The Centre is currently running and offering Energy Audit and Energy Performance Certification courses; He has also won twice the Ghana Skill Development Fund grant, thrice the Carnegie African Diasporan Fellowship Programmes to mention but a few.
Prof Acakpovi has a vast international exposure through his attendances of multiple conferences in countries including Germany, France, USA, China, Russia and Egypt.
Prof Acakpovi is a Christian and happily married with five children. He is a God-fearing person and an aspiring Evangelist
By Michael D. Abayateye
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
