Professor William Otoo Ellis, the Vice-Chancellor, has received the lifetime Master of Food Science, Research Scientist, Scholarly and Higher Education Advancement Award from the Ghana National Honorary Awards of Fame (GHAF). The GHAF, an agency of the Country Awards Council – Ghana, conferred the all-time award on Prof Ellis in the Council Chamber on Friday, 29th July, 2016.
Mawuli Kobla Asamanu, Country Director of GHAF, stated that his outfit gave the award to Prof. Ellis for his reputation as an accomplished international scholar, his professionalism, competence, eloquence, humility and his excellent human relations. Mr. Asamanu observed that they deliberately chose his last day in office to honour him.
In a citation read by the Country Director, Prof Ellis was lauded for his dedication to work, his service to humanity and his selflessness clearly demonstrated in the completion of works initiated by his predecessors.
They went on to describe him as a beacon of hope for Africa and the world at large. He was praised for his service in teaching, research, consultancies, publications, presentations and policy initiatives among others.
Professor Otoo Ellis on his part was grateful for the award and for the fact that his humble contributions to the country had been recognized. Prof Ellis remarked that whatever he had been able to do throughout his professional life was for God, humanity and Ghana. He said public service was a call and he responded to the call to serve to the glory of God.
Ben O. Andoh, the Acting Registrar, stated that the award was timely because we should honour our heroes when they are alive. He also appreciated the efforts of the awarding body. Mr. Andoh, lamented how in this country, heroes were not honoured due to politics. He was unhappy about the insults and bad language hurled at older people by the younger generation on our airwaves.
Other members of GHAF present at the ceremony were Gyimah Ruby, Adiel Ntuk, Kwadwo Sarkodie Oppong and Kofi Asante Afrifa.