The mortal remains of the second Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom, has been laid to rest. Dr. Evans-Anfom was born on 7th October 1919 and died on 7th April 2021. He attained the age of 101 years and 6months.
The burial service for the late former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom was held on Thursday, 13th May, 2021 at the forecourt of the State House in Accra and was attended by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, as well as the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Management of KNUST, friends and family who bid farewell to the national icon.
Tribute to the Late Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
Although, the flickering lamp of history may wane, the shield of rectitude and sincerity with which you steered the affairs of KNUST as the second Vice-Chancellor will forever place you in our ranks of honour.
Today, the world pays tribute to the veteran medical practitioner and a great statesman, but KNUST mourns the loss of an outstanding and inspirational leader whose contribution to the growth and development of this noble Institution is etched in gold.
Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom was appointed to the highest position of Vice-Chancellor of the then University of Science and Technology (UST) on 1st August 1967.
As the second Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) he took over a young institution, barely six years after establishment and nurtured her to her feet. The contributions of Dr. Evans-Anfom to the growth and development of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology cannot be overemphasized. Most of the institutional structures on which the University currently flourishes were introduced through his ingenuity.
The establishment of Matriculation as the official ceremony for admitting new students into the University, institution of Academic Board, the Welfare Services Board, the procedure for the appointment of Pro Vice-Chancellors for KNUST, are some of his footprints engraved in Statute 13 of the current KNUST Statutes till date. He also started the then UST Endowment Fund focused on supporting teaching and research which currently operates as the KNUST Foundation.
The great administrator that he was, he streamlined the administrative setup of the University by ensuring that all official letters were routed through the Registrar’s Office, a practice which persists till today and has developed to see the Registrar’s Office as the custodian of all official documents of the University.
On discipline, he instituted the Senior Member Disciplinary Committee chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor to make recommendations for the consideration of the Vice-Chancellor. This same procedure is still in place and found in Statute 57 and Schedule F of the KNUST Statutes.
On students’ discipline, issues of dismissal, suspension, or rustication rested with the Vice-Chancellor, otherwise, all students' disciplinary issues were decentralised to Faculties, Departments, and the Halls, a practice which is followed to date.
It was during the tenure of Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom that the overseas office of the Universities of Ghana was established. This was a measure agreed on between himself and the counterpart Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast to reduce the excessive cost of each institution running an overseas office.
As the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Evans-Anfom chaired countless committees, boards, and missions, both locally and on the international scene.
A great leader, you dutifully and meticulously discharged your duties to the admiration of all, until you gracefully bowed out in December 1973, when your tenure as Vice-Chancellor was over.
A remarkable gentleman and a great personality, the KNUST Community will forever appreciate your sterling leadership qualities and your great contribution to her solid foundation.
Dr. Emmanuel Evans-Anfom, you have executed your God-given assignment on this earth with great zeal, dedication, commitment, and passion. You have made a name and left an indelible mark on our heart and mind.
As KNUST reconstruct its position to shape history across the globe, we are of the strongest conviction that the passion of former days which is kindled by your works and memory are not pale gleams but a sunny glow.
We feel very much at peace by the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 5:8 - “…to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Dr. Evans-Anfom, May your gentle soul Rest in Perfect Peace with the Maker, free of earthly cares and woes.
AMEN!
