The early showers of the day had given way to a bright and sunny afternoon as people trooped into the Dr. Andani Andan Academic Board Chamber at the Central Administration block on the Tamale Campus of the University for Development Studies.

The announced time for the commencement of the lecture was 2:00 PM. However, at about midday on 26th August 2022, enthusiastic people from different facets of society had already begun to assemble at the venue to some traditional entertainment provided by students of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts.

When the advertised time arrived, the auditorium was already filled to capacity by people from the academia, Civil Society, traditional authorities, security services, the media, students, family and friends of the newly promoted professor – Professor Frederick Adzitey.

For people from civil society and industry in particular, this was a great opportunity to start building the bridges that would eventually close the gap between industry and academia, especially, in the meat sector. They were acutely aware that this lecture would help to inform and shape policies. For the tens of students who made their way into the auditorium, their main aim was to draw inspiration from a man who once sat in the same lecture halls they currently sit in.

Also seated in the auditorium were the in-coming Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Seidu Al-hassan, members of Convocation, Dean and Directors of the University who had come out in their numbers to support their colleague.

The chairman of the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye recounted his first encounter with Professor Frederick Adzitey a little over a decade ago, and how the two of them effectively worked together at the Department of Animal Science.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye urged students present at the occasion to allow themselves to be coached and groomed for greater heights. He reiterated the need for hard work and discipline as this, he said, is “the hall mark of the man who is being celebrated today as the second alumnus of the University to rise steadily through the ranks of academia to become a professor”.

When the Vice-Chancellor invited the new professor to take the microphone, the auditorium, which had remained silent for some time, suddenly broke into a loud cheer deafening claps as the audience rose to welcome the young professor. 

Professor Frederick Adzitey, mounted the podium and praised Almighty God for his blessings bestowed upon him. He used the occasion to thank his mother who was present at the occasion for standing behind him through “rain or shine” to cater for him in school.

Speaking on the topic; “Sustainable Meat Safety in the 21st Century: Our Responsibility, professor Adzitey highlighted antibiotic resistant residue in meats consumed in Ghana. He stressed that, antibiotic residue are being transferred to humans through the meat they consume thus, making such persons resistant to antibiotics as well. As part of his recommendations, Professor Adzitey added that, there is the need for awareness training on food and meat safety for farmers, butchers, sellers and consumers.

This he said, can be done through responsible government regulatory bodies. He further recommended that, butchers should not slaughter sick animals or animals on antibiotics for food or animals on antibiotics.

Professor Felix Abagale, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and the first alumnus to deliver an inaugural lecture, on behalf of the alumna, presented a citation to Professor Frederick Adzitey for attaining this feat in academia at such a relatively young age. He was congratulated with cheerful hugs from colleague Professors, Deans and Directors, Family and loved ones.

Story by; Sumaila Mohammed (University Relations)