GCTU joined the family and friends of the late Mr. Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse to mark the first anniversary of his passing on Saturday, 20th 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 GCTU 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 GCTU. The amount, to be disbursed yearly for the next five years (2025–2029), will fund the “Herman Chinery-Hesse Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Technology”. 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 GCTU.
A member of the family, who presented the cheque, emphasized the family’s commitment to sustaining his legacy: “This 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.”
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Prof. Malcalm described Mr. Chinery-Hesse as “a man of innovation and technology” who left an indelible mark on the university: “He 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.”
The Registrar, Mr. Baidoo, also reflected on the late entrepreneur’s impact: “His ideas in technology helped shape the University’s 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.”
Mr. Chinery-Hesse was the founder of theSOFTtribe, Ghana’s oldest and largest software company. He was globally recognized as the “Bill Gates of Africa” for his pioneering work in software development and innovation. He also served on GCTU’s 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.
