VP of Ghana and SFU alumnus holds public lecture during first visit in 20 years

Simon Fraser University’s alumni form a network on a global scale, with former students living in 143 different countries.

Last month, SFU alumnus and Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Mahamudu Bawumia, travelled to Canada on a trade mission. While visiting, he delivered a public lecture on Ghana’s economic future at SFU’s Vancouver campus.

Vice-President Bawumia was joined by SFU’s Vice-President, Research and International, Joy Johnson and discussed Ghana’s rapid economic growth, and how the country is adopting and creating innovative technologies.

He described how Ghana is giving every building in the country a Global Positioning System (GPS) code rather than a street address, in addition to introducing a Universal Quick Response (QR) code payment system on mobile phones that will eliminate point-of-sale devices and cheques. This will enable even small traders to have easy means of getting paid.

In addition to the lecture, Vice-President Bawumia spoke with members of SFU's African Students' Association (ASA), which celebrates African diversity and unity. ASA engages students of African descent and those interested in positive discourse on Africa. ASA’s mission is to focus solely on Africa, its issues and progress.

This was his first formal visit to SFU since graduating with his PhD in economics in 1995. He was pleased to be back and says it felt like “a homecoming.”

He was particularly moved to see his past supervising professor, SFU Emeritus Mahmood Khan.

SFU International is the university's hub of international relationships, knowledge and resources to mobilize the global reach of SFU’s teaching, research and community engagement. Learn more at www.sfu.ca/international.