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Personality of the Week: Mr Andrew Kyeremanteng Anokye

Mr Anokye, MATESA PTW


For this week, our Personality Dialogue dial falls on a stalwart of the Department, Mr Andrew Kyeremanteng Anokye, a level 300 Materials Engineering student. He has great interest in Writing and is specially interested in Foundry Technology. Enjoy the 'ride' with him.

Who is Mr Andrew Anokye? 
Mr Anokye is a Christian gentleman who believes that as humans we have the greatness within to do more!

What was your experience like in secondary school?
Secondary school was a great place to be. I enjoyed every bit of my stay in PRESEC-Legon, where I chalked some successes. It was not just a good experience, but a great one.

Materials Engineering. Were you given the programme or you really wanted to do it? What informed your decision if you chose it? 
I wanted to be a Civil Engineer. My Uncle inspired me and that was my dream program. I was given Materials Engineering and at the beginning, the interest for the program wasn't there. I developed interest in second year after I realized how important Materials Engineers will be in the near future. Almost everything about the program motivates me, and I usually tell my colleagues about the fact that Ghana, Africa and the world has a bright future with Materials Engineers.

How has the programme been so far?
It's been stressful to be honest. But I believe that success is not achieved on a silver platter. So yes we may go through a lot as students of the program but it will definitely end in praise.

Why did you choose KNUST among all the other institutions in the country and beyond? 
I chose KNUST because of three things; Engineering, Conti and Kumasi. I wanted to offer Engineering and nothing else, and KNUST was the best place to be as far as Engineering is concerned. I had heard a lot about Conti and I wanted to be a part of that Conti feeling. Funnily enough, I used to pray about it.

Has there been any challenge pertaining to Materials Engineering? 
Yes there has. I think that the courses demand a lot of time and as a person I'm very busy. Hence, I struggle to grasp everything we study. The practical aspect of the program is also low; we do more of theory and I personally sometimes find it difficult to relate with some of the things taught in class.

What positions have you held so far in your academic life? 
I've held many positions from JHS through to SHS and even now in the University. I would like to mention a few:
Senior Prefect - Abundant Grace JHS
Prime Technical Advisor, PRESEC SRC
General Secretary - PRESEC Quiz Writers and Debaters Club
General Secretary - PRESEC Catholic Students Union
Editor-in-Chief of THE HUB, KNUST
Public Relations Officer, Rotaract-KNUST
Deputy Public Relations Officer, KNUST-SRC

Deputy PRO of KNUST SRC. Please tell us briefly about what you do?
As Deputy PRO, I assist the PRO to do the following:
Plan publicity strategies and campaigns; write and produce communiques and press releases; deal with enquiries from the public, the press, and related organisations.

How are you able to effectively perform your duty as a leader?
I am able to do so due to my interest in Media related activities. By God's grace, I'm an expert when it comes to Public Relations; making my work very easy and proving the fact that I'm competent for the job.

Please tell us how you manage to blend social and academic responsibilities?
It's very difficult but I try as much as possible to stay focused. I'm here as a student and in as much as I have responsibilities as PRO I make sure my academics is a priority.

Any achievements or awards?
I was nominated for the Best Student Journalist Award at the NUGS Excellence Awards 2019, but unfortunately that event didn't come off. I knew very well that with my hard work as Editor-in-Chief of The HUB, I was going to take that award. Also I received Citations from the Office of the SRC Speaker of Parliament (2018/2019) and the Electoral Commission of the SRC for reporting accurate information with respect to their offices.
Back in SHS, I received an award for being the Best SRC Executive and an Exemplary Leader award at the school's Speech and Prize Giving day.

What or who inspires you?
Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah inspires me. He is the Minister of Information and a former Media Broadcast Journalist. He inspires me because I see myself in the future whenever I see him, as a man of Integrity, intelligence, eloquence and humility.

What is your vision and mission in life?
My mission in life is to grow. I do not want to stay the same person forever, limited by my past, my weaknesses, or my belief system. I want to push past anything hindering me and reach heights I didn’t even know existed. My vision is to build wealth, to experience life, love and family.

Which extracurricular activities do usually engage in? 
I'm a Rotaractor. We believe in Service to Humanity. Hence we undertake certain social responsibility projects to give back to society.

Any favourite motivational quote?
I don't have a favourite quote. I don't memorize or keep quotes, I understand them. Hence I don't have a favourite.

How do you see the Department so far? Are there any improvements you would want to see?
There's massive improvement honestly. I'm very much excited and proud of the current Department executives. They're doing a great job. The Department really has a future!

When it comes to Materials Engineering, what field are you particularly interested in and why? 
I'm interested in the Foundry aspect of the program. This is because I believe Africa has a future with casting processes in particular.

What do you think about the way we are taught here in the university?
We need to improve upon that. Personally, I feel we're sticking to the old ways and that's affecting the current generation. The world is changing, and as a Science and Technology University, we need to be innovative in our style of teaching.

The Core of Engineering Technology, what does this mean to you? 
Without us Engineering is nothing. That's basically what it means. We're the pivot of Engineering.

What should we expect from you in the next few years?
In the next few years expect ANDREW ANOKYE to be causing visible change in Africa.

Please share with us. your last words. 
I would like to say that, as students we must never forget the G-factor – the God factor. I've faced serious challenges in my life especially as a student, but I strongly believe in the Uncommon Favour of God, that is "the magic they don't understand".
Thanks for this great opportunity. I appreciate.

Thank you too Mr Anokye. That was so much too learn from you. We appreciate your time and your words.

Up next is Lady of the Month. Be on the look out! Thanks for reading. Hope your time was well served.

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