Inaugural Lecture at the University of Ghana

On Thursday, September 15, 2016 a group of 57 IB1 and IB2 students and seven staff members had the opportunity to witness Professor Naa Ayikailey Adamafio, B.Sc. (Hons) Biochemistry with Chemistry (University of Ghana), Ph.D Biochemistry (Monash University) deliver her Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Ghana’s Biomass Imperative: Surmounting the Biochemical Barriers”.

After short initial hiccups with finding a bus driver who would take us to East Legon, the group set off in good spirits. Everybody managed to find a seat on the bus and the exact number of students coming with was determined without fail.

We arrived well on time and were seated in two different blocks, IB1s and IB2s, each group sitting with some teachers.

The programme started with a procession of members of the University, led by dancers accompanied by a group of drum players. After two short introductory speeches, Professor Adamafio then embarked on her lecture, which addressed ways in which Science seeks to develop solutions both for environmental (biomass waste reduction) and economic (producing affordable animal feed to raise the percentage of national meat production) issues in Ghana. The lecture was most interesting, held in layman’s speech, clear and concise.

Teachers were happy to see their students following the lecture attentively since the topic is of great relevance for IB Biology and Chemistry students.

After the lecture the SOS-HGIC group was introduced to the audience as one of three student groups who had been invited and honoured the invitation. Before returning to Tema there was some time to enjoy refreshments and talk to other guests. Some of our students used the occasion to speak to Professor Naa Ayikailey Adamafio and thank her for the interesting evening.

The journey home went smoothly and teachers were full of praise for a well-behaved group of students, promising to take them on many more trips should the occasion arise.