Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor Honoured

The Department of Computer Science and Information Technology (DCSIT) and the Internet Society (ISOC) Ghana Chapter, recently organized a Home-Coming Celebration at the LLT, Faculty of Education new block in honour of Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor who won the Jon Postel Service Award for 2007.

The Internet Society honoured Prof. Quaynor with the award in recognition of his pioneering role in the development of Internet in Ghana in particular and Africa as a whole. His achievement makes him the first African and the ninth winner of the Award.

In his remarks, Prof. Quaynor, who is an Adjunct Professor in Computer Science, UCC and Chair of the Ghana.com (the first Internet service provider in West Africa) said that the entire revolution of the Internet began in Africa, paving the way for focus on Africa for the first time. He said that the Award had projected the need for people to build critical minds, research and education networks with the use of the Internet.

Prof. Quaynor further expressed the need for the establishment of collaborative linkages with other institutions to promote information-sharing which would help accelerate societal growth, a role which computer scientists could be instrumental. He added that the Award, which to him is the highest, is an opportunity for UCC students to also aspire to achieve such heights.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof Haruna Yakubu, who chaired the function, lauded Prof. Quaynor’s contributions to and achievements in computer science and the Internet in Africa, Ghana and UCC. He also expressed gratitude to the Award Winner for making Ghana and UCC proud.
Prof. Yakubu urged students to emulate the shining example of Prof. Quaynor and take their studies serious, remain focused, dedicated and persevere to be able to achieve similar laurels.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the Head of Computer Science and IT and President of ISOC, Ghana, Mr. Daniel Obuobi said that the Home-coming Celebration was to him, the most significant Form of appraisal and acknowledgement of Prof. Quaynor’s vision and pioneering work which had helped countless others to spread the Internet across Africa.

Mr. Obuobi said that Prof. Quaynor was one of the most prominent and distinguished Ghanaian icons and achievers, known for his selfless, exceptional and professional dedication towards the development of ICT in Ghana and Africa. Prof. Quaynor received citations from ISOC and DCSIT in recognition of his achievement.