An indelible legacy of a researcher

In October 2007, I got the opportunity to work in Kintampo Health Research Centre with then Dr. Seth Owusu-Agyei (OA for short) as my director. Very naive in health research, I got several training and exposure under the leadership of this great man of this country. His critiques of what I write and the views I shared while he was around are very much part of what has formed me now in the career I am pursuing.

I will be a liar to make it sound like I liked every decision he took concerning my life. But largely, whatever encounter I had with him brought me out better and resolute for the work I chose to do.

I got the privilege to compile his peered reviewed publications two years ago and counted not less than 120 in diverse areas of his research career. In a recent conversation with him, he is at the moment having about 200 more with some chapters of books to his effort.

It was of great encouragement to note from a man of almost 35 years of health research experience that I could do more than he has achieved if I keep focusing. I am optimistic that Professor Seth Ogyebre Owusu-Agyei will triumph in his new position as director of an Institute within the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

I urge as many that could to listen to his inaugural lecture on one of the issues dear to his heart “The fight against Malaria: Is elimination in sight?”

Congratulations on your achievement of this feat. You deserve it in my view. This example will cause some of us to aspire higher. Well done Sir.