According to the Honorary Secretary, Emerita Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, the academy was faced with challenges in its quest to stimulate knowledge and inspire excellence in its membership in fulfilment of its mission to encourage the creation, acquisition, dissemination and utilisation of knowledge for national development.
Speaking after receiving GH¢144,210 support from Kosmos Energy to help the academy to print its manuscripts Prof. Ardayfio-Schandorf said “publication in print is an important dissemination strategy of the academy, however, production of the publication has suffered an enormous setback due to financial challenges.”
This, she said had led to a huge backlog of manuscripts and papers accumulated over the years and commended Kosmos Energy Ghana for showing interest in the academy.
Establishment of Academy
The academy, she said, was established 56 years ago by the first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in November 1959 to realise his dream of industrialising the country within the shortest possible time.
The focus of the academy, she said, was all inclusive to first promote the study, extension and dissemination of knowledge of all the sciences, philosophies, humanities, the arts and sciences, physical sciences, medicine and all forms of learning.
She commended the company for the support and noted that it would help the cause of the academy and that “Kosmos in recognition of the work and activities of the academy, has positively responded to the request for support for the academy’s publication agenda and other related activities.
The outgoing vice president and country manager of Kosmos Energy Mr Ken Keag , said the support signified a long term relationship between his outfit and the academy.
“We are pleased to support the Academy’s activities in their efforts to promote excellence in knowledge in additon to providing expert knowledge across the spectrum for the social and economic development of Ghana in the past 56 years. We hope that the support will enable the Academy to publish papers researched over the years to make them available for Ghanaians. We know how important these subjects are for the nation and hence our support,” he said.
He said Kosmos was appreciated the fact that much more had been done that was not in the public domain which had led to the company’s decision to support the academy.
The ceremony was attended by fellows and officials of the Academy and a delegation from Kosmos Energy, including the incoming vice-president and country manager, Mr. Joe Mensah, the Director of Corporate Affairs, George Sarpong, and the Communications manager, Ruth Adashie, among others.
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, was was established by Ghana’s Founder and first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in November 1959.
objectives of the Academy were, among others to promote the study and the extension and dissemination of knowledge of all the sciences and of learning and establish and maintain proper standards of endeavour in all fields.
