Kwesi Amoak speaks about his book, Quest for Excellence

These are stories of Ghanaians who have excelled against the odds of systems that often tend to stifle creativity. They are a living proof of what can be done to create and secure a better future.

With the 60th anniversary of the University of Ghana in mind, I have taken a look at some aspects of the history of the premier university through the experiences of some of its alumni who are contributing immensely to national development.

By so doing, some tough but important questions are dealt with, viz; why is it that, facilities that were meant for nine thousand students are now stretched to cater for twenty-seven thousand students? Why is it that lately more people manage to obtain first class degrees but cannot perform efficiently on the job market? And what have been the effects of national politics on our institutions of higher learning? The book indeed is an account of paradoxes characteristic of any creative process of forging new standards or “charting a new course“, which is the theme of the 60th anniversary celebrations.

Quest for Excellence features distinguished Ghanaians such as Professor Daniel Adjei Bekoe (Chairman of the Council of State), Professor Florence Abena Dolphyne (First Ghanaian female professor), Mrs. Stephanie Baeta Ansah (Founding MD of HFC Bank), Major Dan Ablorh Quarcoo (Commissioner of I.R.S), Mrs. Dinah Brandful (Assistant Commissioner of CEPS), Prof. William Anku (Director of the School of Performing Arts), Prof. Joseph Atsu- Aryee (Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies) and Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin (Regional Programme Manager, ABANTU for Development, Regional Office for West Africa).

Also featured are Mr. Kofi Fumey (Head of Marketing , Standard Chartered Bank), Madam Mary Buako (Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Bankers), Mr. Samuel Kofi Ayim (Chief Legal Officer, Ecobank Transnational Inc.), Mrs. Lisa Quarshie (Repatriation Officer of UNHCR), Mr. Kwame Baah-Nuakoh (Sports Economist) and Mr. Leopold Armah (IT Specialist at the Office of the President).

Their profiles have been arranged in the order of when they entered the University of Ghana.

Quest for Excellence is a sourcebook of inspiration for every individual who aspires for a paradigm shift through an unquenchable quest for excellence.

Kwesi Amoak
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