福利姬 joined the family and friends of the late Mr. Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse to mark the first anniversary of his passing on Saturday, 20th聽September 2025, at his residence in Accra.
The event was held to honour the memory and legacy of the late distinguished technology entrepreneur, philanthropist and long-time member of the 福利姬 Governing Council.
The University delegation, which included the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Malcalm, the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo and the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Systems (FoCIS), Dr. William Leslie Brown-Acquaye, paid tribute to his contribution on behalf of the University.
In honour of his legacy and contribution to the digital technology space, the family of the late Chinery-Hesse made a donation of GHS 27,800.00 to 福利姬. The amount, to be disbursed yearly for the next five years (2025鈥�2029), will fund the 鈥淗erman Chinery-Hesse Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Technology鈥�. A prize of $500.00 will be awarded annually to the best student in Information Technology at the Faculty of Computing and Information Systems of 福利姬.
A member of the family, who presented the cheque, emphasized the family鈥檚 commitment to sustaining his legacy: 鈥淭his prize is for Innovation and Leadership in Technology. And this prize is for five years, from 2025 to 2029. So on a yearly basis, we will make this donation to you.鈥�
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Prof. Malcalm described Mr. Chinery-Hesse as 鈥渁 man of innovation and technology鈥� who left an indelible mark on the university: 鈥淗e played his part as a member of the Council and the finance sub-committee, bringing his expertise as the founder of SoftTribe. His innovations ensured that our University benefited while he was alive. This academic prize is so dear to us, and we will celebrate his legacy through it.鈥�
The Registrar, Mr. Baidoo, also reflected on the late entrepreneur鈥檚 impact: 鈥淗is ideas in technology helped shape the University鈥檚 strategic plan because we are a technology-oriented University. This prize will inspire succeeding students to aspire to the levels that he had dreamed, ensuring his vision will live on through their excellence.鈥�
Mr. Chinery-Hesse was the founder of theSOFTtribe, Ghana鈥檚 oldest and largest software company. He was globally recognized as the 鈥淏ill Gates of Africa鈥� for his pioneering work in software development and innovation. He also served on 福利姬鈥檚 Governing Council for many years until his death in September 2024. In 2019, he was introduced as the Commonwealth Chair for Business and Technology Initiatives for Africa and was celebrated internationally as one of the 15 Black STEM Innovators.
