Send-off ceremony held for out-going ARUA SG
A send-off ceremony has been held for out-going ARUA Secretary-General, Emeritus Professor Ernest Aryeetey. The ceremony which took place at the Institute for Statistical Social & Economic Research (ISSER) hall on 30 July 2024, was attended by management of the University of Ghana, colleagues and friends of Prof. Aryeetey as well as incoming ARUA Secretary-General, Professor John Gyapong. It was hosted by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Vice-Chair of the Board of ARUA, Professor Nana Aba Appiah-Amfo with ISSER as co-host.
Goodwill messages poured out from the ARUA network as well as stakeholders, all of who paid glowing tribute to him. The Chair of the ARUA Board and VC of Rhodes University, Prof. Sizwe Mabizela, in his telecast farewell message, paid tribute to Prof. Aryeetey’s personal passion, commitment, and dedication to research excellence on the continent as a great source of inspiration. He described Prof Aryeetey as “the embodiment of humility, integrity and selfless service… representing the best and the finest on the continent.”
Prof. Appiah Amfo, who proposed the toast, in her opening remarks described Prof. Aryeetey as “a man of ideas as gigantic as his stature… recognising difficulties but unfazed by them… A perpetual optimist who chooses to focus on opportunities rather than difficulties.” She expressed joy that he was bowing out when the applause was the loudest.
She presented a cake to Prof. Aryeetey, which she joined him to cut with his wife and some University of Ghana officials and the in-coming ARUA SG.
ARUA staff past and present made a presentation to him. The family of Professor Aryeetey also presented him with a floral bouquet.
In attendance was the Immigration Band (Bravo team) which provided good music for the lovely occasion.
SAA 01/08/24.
