Dean of UPSA Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies passes on

It is with deep sorrow that the university community announces the death of Dr. John Bosco Kuuka Damnyag, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies (FITCS).

According to the family, the astute Senior Lecturer passed away on Tuesday, October 27 after a short illness.

“Dr. Bosco”, as he was fondly called, joined the University of Professional Studies, Accra (then Institute of Professional Studies – IPS) in 2005 as a lecturer. Prior to that, he lectured at Regent University College and Koforidua Polytechnic (now Koforidua Technical University).

Within a year of his employment, he was appointed the Head of the Mathematics Unit of IPS, a position he held until 2009 when he became the Research Coordinator of the institution.

In 2013, when the institution had attained university status, he was appointed the Coordinator of the Evening School. He was later promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2016 and Head of the Department of Information Technology Studies.

Dr. John Bosco Damnyag (in August 2019) lecturing SHS students during the Vice-Chancellor’s Free Vacation Class Program for second cycle students in the community

Due to his hard working nature and his commitment to his duties, Dr. Damnyag was promoted to the position of Vice Dean at the same faculty when the position became vacant in April 2018. After a year of strong leadership and dedicated service, he was appointed the substantive Dean of the Faculty in February 2019. He held that position until his passing.

Dr. Damnyag served on several boards and committees of the university including the Academic Board, the Executive Committee and the Appointments and Promotions Board.

Dr. Damnyag was born on 3rd February, 1972. He is a native of Fielmuo in the Upper West Region of Ghana. His vast professional expertise included data analysis, training in information management, actuarial analysis and pension fund management.

The late Dr. John Bosco receiving an ‘Award of Gratitude’ for his dedicated service to his Faculty at a special send-off party for some faculty members

He held a PhD in Finance from the Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN) as well as a Doctorate of Finance from the Swiss Management Centre University. He also obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management Information Systems from the University of Ghana and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics and Statistics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Damnyag was the founder and the Executive Director of Sustain the Future (SUTF), a non-governmental organisation based in Ghana. He was also the Managing Director of JBK Farms, a company that specialises in both crop and animal production.

Dr. Damnyag authored various books in Quantitative Methods for tertiary students: Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools and Junior Secondary Schools. He also wrote several books on voting patterns in Ghana and on Information Technology Management.

The late Dr. John Bosco (middle) in a heartily conversation with former colleagues.

In a tribute to him, the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor Abednego F. O. Amartey, described the late Senior Lecturer as an industrious faculty member who was diligent in his duties.

He said his absence would be missed by the entire university, but most especially, the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed the condolences of Management and the university community to the bereaved family, especially his wife and children.

“The University mourns with the wife, children and family of Dr. John Bosco Kuuka Damnyag,” he said. “May the soul of our hardworking Dean rest in eternal Peace.”

The funeral arrangements for the late Dr. Bosco are as follows:

• Brief Burial Service: Thursday, 26th November, 2020 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Adentan.
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Laying in State: Friday, 27th November, 2020 at Fielmuo, Upper West Region
• Burial: Saturday, 28th November, 2020, at the Family Cemetery, Fielmuo, Upper West Region
• Thanksgiving Service: Sunday, 29th November, 2020 at St. Paul Parish, Fielmuo, Upper West Region.