The founding Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, Professor Emeritus Daniel Mireku-Gyimah, has passed away at the age of 72.
Prof. Mireku-Gyimah, who is the first Mining Professor in West Africa, played a pivotal role in transforming UMaT into a world-class institution for the training of engineers and professionals in the extractive industries.
In a Facebook post announcing the death of Prof Mireku-Gyimah, UMaT described him as a “distinguished scholar, visionary leader, and a cornerstone in the establishment and development of the University.” It added that his dedication to academic excellence and his immense contributions to mining education, research, and national development remain a lasting legacy.
“UMaT extends its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, friends, and the entire UMaT community during this time of grief. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” the statement read.
Biography of Prof. Emeritus Daniel Mireku-Gyimah
Prof. Mireku-Gyimah served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology from 2004 to 2012, and was instrumental in steering the transition of the institution from the Tarkwa School of Mines to a fully-fledged university.
He holds an MSc degree from the Moscow Mining Institute, Moscow, Russia and a PhD and DIC from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
He has also been awarded DSc (honoris causa) by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; DSc (honoris causa) by Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria and DSc (honoris causa) by UMaT.
He has to his credit over 60 publications in journals and conference proceedings, three (3) co-authored books and 20 technical reports on various aspects of mining, including Mine Design and Planning, Mine Feasibility Study, Operations Research, Environmental Protection and Corporate Social Responsibility Management.
He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Ghana Journal of Science and Editor-in-Chief of the Ghana Mining Journal and Ghana Journal of Technology.
Prof. Mireku-Gyimah powered the processes that upgraded the KNUST School of Mines into the Western University College of KNUST and also spearheaded the processes that transformed the College into the full-fledged University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa.
He is a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), Ghana Institution of Geoscientists (GhIG) and a member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), UK.
Prof. Mireku-Gyimah is also a Fellow of the West African Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (WAIMM) and the Chair of the WAIMM Executive Committee.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
