The United Nations University –Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) says it received with deep sorrow, the sudden passing away of the Former Vice Rector of the institute, Prof. Alexander Adum Kwapong.

He died on August 9, 2014 in Accra.

The university said Prof Kwapong, was “very instrumental in the establishment of UNU-INRA as the first UNU Institute in Africa.”

Speaking on his achievements, the Director of UNU-INRA, Dr. Elias. T. Ayuk described Prof. Kwapong as an African legend, who contributed immensely to the development of Africa by championing the establishment of UNU-INRA as a UN policy think tank to promote the sustainable use of natural resources in Africa.

“The death of Prof. Kwapong is shocking news to us. Africa has lost a great son and his contributions to the Institute will forever live with us”, Dr. Ayuk stated.

As the Vice-Rector for Institutional Planning and Resource Development for UNU from 1976 to 1988, Prof. Kwapong worked closely with the first Rector, James H. Hester, to lay the foundations necessary for UNU as both a university and a part of the United Nations system, and to attract funding for the University.

Prof. Kwapong played an active role in the founding of the first UNU institute — the UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER).

Throughout his career, Prof. Kwapong served on numerous Boards and Councils, and upon retirement he was appointed Chair of the Council of State of Ghana, an advisory body for the President and Government of Ghana.

UNU-INRA’s work centres on Africa’s human and natural resources. It operates out of its main office at the University of Ghana, with units in five other African states.