This inaugural lecture by Professor Joseph Benjamin Archibald Afful, a Professor of Applied English Linguistics at the University of Cape Coast, presents his 27-year academic journey through the metaphor of 'a tale of two cities' to explore two interconnected areas of applied linguistics: English for Academic and Publishing Purposes (EAP) and Social Onomastics (the study of naming and address practices). The lecture uses an autoethnographic approach to connect his personal academic journey with broader cultural and institutional structures, demonstrating how theoretical linguistics and applied linguistics must work synergistically to address language challenges in academia and society. Professor Afful argues that while English serves as the official medium of instruction in Ghana, communication remains highly localized, requiring careful attention to both international publishing standards and local naming/address practices. His research contributions span academic writing analysis, reference list conventions, examiner feedback patterns, and the social functions of address terms in various contexts including academia, spousal relationships, and sports communities.
TVUCC LIVE : INAUGURAL LECTURE BY PROFESSOR JOSEPH BENJAMIN ARCHIBALD AFFULAñadido:
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Ladies and gentlemen, kindly resume your seats.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. It's a pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural lecture by professor Joseph Benjamin Aubold AFU. He is a professor of applied English linguistics. This afternoon he would be speaking on the topic a tale of two cities the case of an applied English linguist.
Ahead of his presentation permit me to introduce the chair for the occasion who will deliver the welcome address and formally introduce our speaker. Our chair is a professor of coastal ecology and interdisciplinary ocean studies, a distinguished scholar with over 15 years scientific project management experience, an outstanding intellectual with publication record in index journals. Currently he is the pro vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, the acting vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and recently appointed vice chancellor of UCC effective August 1, 2026.
Ladies and gentlemen, with a warm round of applause, let's welcome Professor Dennis Wano Aetto.
Mr. Gideon Enoch Abbey Esquire, register of the University of Cape Coast of the Gua Traditional Area. Nana Quuo the third of a traditional area of AA traditional area honorable Dr. MP Cape Coast North Constituency Her Ladyship Hannah Taylor Supervising High Court Judge Kumasi Professor NS Kofi Davis Director General of the Ghana Education Service Bishop of the Cape Coast Diosis retired Reverend Richardson Abuaj Andam very reverend Samuel Ku Basau the assistant bishop Top elect professor Eric Pokumensa, Vice Chancellor of UNIMAC, Professor DD Copoly, former vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Philip Ebu Bonsi Simpson, former vice chancellor Gimpa and Methodist University College.
Mr. Jeff Emmanote on former register of the University of Cape Coast College of Professors, Provos, Deans, Directors of Academic and Administrative Units, heads of departments and heads of halls, members of convocation, the clergy, staff and students, distinguished invited guests, our friends from the media, Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
I am truly happy to welcome all of you to the University of Cape Coast on behalf of the governing council, management, staff, students of our university to this special professorial inaugural lecture to be delivered by JB Afo, Professor JB Afo. A very warm welcome goes especially to our distinguished guests and to the family, friends and associates of professor Ao who have traveled from far and near to share in this memorable occasion.
Your presence here today certainly underscores the importance you place on learning excellence intellectual exch ex exchange and celebrating academic success together.
Registra, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our friends from the media, permit me to use this opportunity being my first official assignment on campus following my appointment by the governing council as the incoming vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast effective 1st August 2026 to express my profound appreciation to the governing council, academic board, convocation, the unions, the university community, my local and international referees, alumni, partners, family and friends for the confidence reposed in me and opportunity to serve with humility and your continued support. I am committed to leading UCCC in fostering a transformative, diverse and inclusive environment that drives excellence in research, teaching, learning and outreach for wider impact on society.
Registra, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
Permit me now to touch on the significance of inaugural lectures.
The inaugural lecture is a cherished academic tradition that marks a scholar's formal elevation to the rank of professor.
It provides a platform for professors to share their intellectual journey, research contributions, teaching experiences, innovations with the university community.
More than just a celebration of personal achievements, it reflects the institution's recognition of sustained excellence in scholarship, teaching, learning, service, and innovation.
Each lecture therefore serves as an opportunity to showcase expertise, highlight research accomplishments and engage with society by making research advanced research accessible to wider audiences.
It inspires colleagues, junior scholars and students offering a captivating example of academic dedication and excellence to pursue similar path of distinction.
In this way, the inaugural lecture bridges the gap between the university and the wider public.
Mr. Registra, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me now to celebrate professor Joseph Benjamo.
Professor Joseph Ba Afo was promoted to the rank of associate sorry professor in 2021.
I repeat that.
So I take my words back.
Ladies and gentlemen, Professor Joseph Ba Ao was promoted to the rank of professor in 2021.
Today marks therefore the formal celebration of this significant milestone in front of a broad audience of colleagues, family, friends, and the general public at his lecture titled the tale of two cities, a case of an applied English linguist.
Over three decades, Professor Joseph Ba A's academic inquiry has centered on language use within applied linguistics, particularly English for academic and publishing purposes and social onomatics.
Friends of the media, in his presentation, Professor Afo will use self-reflection and personal narrative to connect his personal academic journey with broader cultural and institutional structures.
This format therefore transforms a traditional milestone into a critical inquiry of academic profession itself.
The following elements define his autoethnographic content. First, the lecture frames his career metaphorically as a journey highlighting obstacles mentorship he has received the evolution of research interests and gaining a voice. Finally, he will argue for the connection between theory and practice as demonstrated in his teaching research and service to the academic research community with a narration of his contributions to the research community, the nation, and the larger global community. Indeed, he will emphasize his role in the institutionalization of academic writing as a mandatory course for post-graduate research students at the University of Cape Coast.
Let's give him a round of applause.
Ladies and gentlemen, permit me now to present a brief profile of Professor Joseph B. Afo registra.
Professor Afo began his secondary school education at the age of 12 at the secondary college where he obtained his GCEO level uh qualifications.
He then moved to a secondary school for his GCE advanced level studies.
Following his six form education, he gained admission to the University of Cape Coast, graduating with a BA honors in English and a diploma in education.
He later earned an MLI degree in English language from this same university after which he completed his PhD in English at the National University of Singapore in Singapore.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I now touch on his work and leadership profile.
Professor Joseph Bafu began his teaching career at the AAM Secondary School during his national service and later taught English language and literature in English at the Wesley Girls High School, Wneba Secondary School and the University Practice Senior High School here in Cape Coast. His academic career at the University of Cape Coast commenced in 1998 as a senior research assistant in the department of English.
He has since held several leadership roles including academic advisor, registration officer, examinations officer, foundational head of department of communication studies, head of the department of English for two terms, vice dean of the school of graduate studies and the dean of faculty of arts. I thought this will attract significant applause.
He has done very well in these positions. He provided strategic leadership, advanced curriculum development, promoted gender equality in staff development and fostered collegiality.
Distinguished guests present on his teaching supervision and mentorship.
Professor Au progressed through the academic runs from assistant lecturer in 1999 to full professor in 2021.
During his doctoral studies in Singapore, he gained teaching experience as a graduate teaching associate where one of his students later became a professor in Hong Kong. In terms of supervision, he has graduated 10 PhD students and currently supervises 19 more along with having supervised 52 Enfield students.
Thank you. and currently supervising an additional 33. He has also served as co-supervisor at other Ghanaian universities and examined 47 Mfield and 12 PhD thesis across Ghana, South Africa and Australia.
Regarding mentorship, Professor Au has mentored many young academics who have risen to senior positions. His first PhD graduate professor Kodum Ji was recently promoted to full professor. Other notable mentees include Dr. Ya Oto and Dr. Kelly on his extension and artery services.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media. Professor Joseph Bafo has demonstrated distinguished leadership and commitment to academic service through his extensive involvement in boards, committees and accreditation exercises at both national and international levels at the University of Capeos. In particular, he has contributed significantly to research, resource planning, graduate studies, admissions and institutional development, serving on many key committees such as the UCCC research agenda committee, joint admissions board and UCCC development board and chairing several others within the school of graduate studies.
He also represented a vice chancellor at the Masha College and played a governor's role at the Fossu College of Education while participating international initiatives such as the ALA Africa Research Network.
Mr. Registra, in additions to these roles, Professor Ao has provided vital outreach services through accreditation and affiliation exercises under the National Accreditation Board, now GTech.
He served as team leader and member in program accredititation reviews for many institutions including Kisben College, University of Education WineA, Valley View University, University of Ghana, Kwami Kruma University of Science and Technology as well as many others. Let's give him a round of applause.
Indeed, his leadership in these exercises underscores his commitment to maintaining academic standards and strengthening higher education in Ghana.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I now proceed to speak briefly about his publications, awards and professional engagement.
Professor Joseph Ba Ao has published extensively with over 85 works including 70 research articles, five book chapters and a conference proceeding featured in leading journals such as Ebera, Taiwan International ESP Journal and the language and intercultural communication. He has al also co-edited collections, contributed to collaborative projects and presented his research widely across Ghana and internationally.
He has also served as a reviewer for major journals and held editorial leadership roles including editor and chief of drum drumspeak and asam. His academic excellence has been recognized throughout the world through the National University of Singapore scholarship, Melon Post-doctoral Fellowship in 2006 and many other multiple grants. The University of Cipko's school of graduate studies twice honored his doctoral supervision when he his PhD students won awards for outstanding thesis in 2019 and 2021.
Professor Afo is indeed a scholar and an active member of several professional associations including the AILA Africa Research Network, the European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing, the Linguistics Association of Ghana, the South African Association for Academic Literacy Practitioners and many others.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Registra, I wish to now and finally conclude on his personality and personal related areas.
Professor Joseph Benjamin Acho is the first of six siblings. He was born in second on the 3rd of August 1963 to Mr. Joseph Benjamin Aachi Afo Senior of Forbo House Elmina and Mrs. Sarah Afo both of blessed memory. He is married to Vada Eye Hutton and together they have three children Mrs. Josephine Quao Marilyn Sali Afo and Press La Ao.
Professor Ao worships at Wesley Cathedral in Cape Coast and his hobbies include playing the organ, gardening and watching African movies.
Is it I is it Nigerian movies?
I nearly added that to my speech.
Yeah. On this note, I wish to thank you for your attention.
But before I leave, I've just seen um Professor Mrs. Abigail Ooku Mensa, executive director of the National Research Fund. I just want to acknowledge you as well. I didn't see you earlier. Thank you so much.
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Vice Chancellor elect with your permission I would like to stand on the protocol you have already established.
I'll first like to thank God for his immeasurable grace and mercy.
I also appreciate the investing management for offering me the opportunity to present this inaugural lecture.
I'm highly honored to be the fourth inaugur in my department following professor Nana goajiman the vice president of the republic of Ghana professor Lawrence Kansa and professor Dura Francis Eduando my presentation addresses six main issues first understanding key words and terms Second, identifying the influences and interest in language use.
Third, charting the academic path.
Fourth, gaining a voice through my publications.
Looking into the future is the fifth and the last strand is highlighting my contributions.
In this first strand of my presentation, I explain some under and opinion key words and terms.
The first is the inaugural lecture as an academic spoken general.
Acting vice chancellor at the outset I should like to say that there are five types of academic inaugural lectures identified as first the research focused type which gives an overview of contributions to a specific field showcasing research contributions methods and future directions in the field of study.
The second is the narrative reflective type which often includes personal stories related to career development.
The third type is the one that is tagged inspirational and this addresses the broader implications of research on society.
The fourth type of integral lecture is the strategic lecture which focuses on the history, development and future of a department particularly if the inauguration and the fifth one is an entirely new subject that is discussed for the attention of the various publics.
For the purpose of today's presentation, acting vice chancellor and invited guest, I choose the reflective narrative form usually referred to as the autoethnography.
This is what I capture in the title of this presentation as a tale.
Autoethnography can be recognized simply as a narrative interspersed with reflections and subtle argumentation.
It allows the writer or researcher to address himself or herself as a subject of a larger social or cultural inquiry.
These are v evocative and revealing writing.
Thus, it affords an author the space to express views and foreground constitutive dimensions that may be ordinarily be attenuated or even eliminated in conventional scientific discourse.
In this way, I articulate my personal lived experience over the past 27 years in high education.
Although the automographic approach in presenting inaugural lectures has been faulted for being potentially self-indulgent or lacking scientific rigor. I choose it on account of the fact that first it humanizes the academic or the researcher allowing me therefore to move beyond a seemingly dry objective restation of data and to present myself as a real person with successes. disclosures and personal struggles which you will find in my presentation very soon.
Second, it is inclined towards enhancing audience or reader engagement thereby capturing the audience's attention, empathy and feelings.
The third reason for my choice of a tale is that it allows me to use my own experiences as a lens to understand broader social cultural and institutional context.
Professor Ch, the second major concept in this presentation is applied linguistics which is captured in the T as applied English linguist. In other words, I consider applied linguistics to be situated within a specific global language, English, which remains a key international language of scholarship.
At the risk of being simplistic and as known to those with some interest in language studies, applied linguistics evokes two relatable terms or concepts.
First, linguistics and then theoretical linguistics.
Linguistics means the scientific study of language. As this focus, theoretical linguistics investigates the fundamental nature, structure and underlining rules of human language to develop theories and models that explain language competence, universality and variation.
In this sense we can think of areas such as syntax which refers to sentence structure, morphology which means word formation, phonetics, phenology which means speech sounds, semantics which simply means meaning and pragmatics which means context.
On the other hand, apply linguistics is devoted to applying theories, methods and findings from theoretical linguistics to address language related challenges in society.
It is understandable to find such pertinent areas as second language teaching and pedagogy, forensic linguistics, translation, computational linguistics among others.
I agree with Holiday when he describes applied linguistics as a transdisciplinary field which creates new forms of activities from existing disciplines.
What is clear is that these activities are bound together by virtue of their preoccupation with matters related to language use.
It is a reference to the second concept apply linguistics with it triumvirate elements of text context and meaning of function which provides a broader terrain for my discussion today.
Over the last 27 years I've been eclectic in my approach to applied linguistics having published in the following fields.
one English for academic and publishing purposes with emphasis on academic writing social linguistic landscape grammar of interpersonality and evaluation in academic and nonacademic context and lastly research trends in English studies in this presentation however I focus on only two of what I just listed my exhibition in San Juna library which commenced on Monday has sought to showcase my research in all the five areas that I have just mentioned.
Now let me come to the term a tale of two cities. I'm sure many of you have been wondering what I mean by that.
I'm sorry I may have to disappoint some people.
With your permission, Professor Chair, I now consider the term a tale of two cities in the title of my presentation.
It easily evokes Charles Dickens a tale of two cities written in 1859, which is a historical English novel set between London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, highlighting themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and social injustice.
This tale contrasts the quiet life of London with the upheaval of Paris, emphasizing that love and self-sacrifice can triumph over hatred and social decay.
For those who are familiar with this classical work, I'm sure you remember that famous quote in the opening line.
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
So the question is why do I refer to two cities given that the word cities evokes areas such as geography, urban planning, machine and the collectivity of humans and the tendency towards complexity and modernism. I use it to mean the complex knowledge domains exemplified through the construction, dissemination and evaluation of knowledge.
Although scholars such as Thomas Bigland, Scadamelia, Bereta, Ken Highland and many others provide different tonomies and metaphors for classifying or grouping knowledge in the academy. I chose two cities for the purpose of this presentation and this is where I'm sure some people will feel disappointed as a symbolism rather for the two selected areas in applied linguistics that are of interest to me in today's presentation.
So unfortunately my presentation has nothing to do with Paris or London.
It has everything rather to do with the two areas that I want to talk about.
English for academic and publishing purposes with emphasis on academic writing and socioonomastics.
These in my presentation constitute the two cities that I'm talking about.
First of all, let's talk about English for academic purposes.
English for academic and publishing purposes represents a distinct field of study that emanated from in the early 1960s.
Over the years, it has grown like all other disciplines.
It focuses on how students, researchers, and scholars use the English language.
Linguistics and rhetorical features such as stance, engagement markers, lexical bundles, synthetic complexity, and nominalization continue to attract attention and English for academic and publishing purposes. Further topics include disciplinary variation, academic vocabulary and formula research methodologies among others.
Some approaches in EAP include genre analysis, academic literacies, critical discourse analysis, social linguistics and corpus linguistics.
On the other hand, social anomastics derived from the motherfield social linguistics emphasizes the naming and address practices that humans reflect and construct in their daily interactions at home, school and workplace among others.
This is so ordinary that every day of our lives as humans, we we address people at home. You are likely to be addressing your children as Kofi amma or man.
Social nomastics often overlaps with social linguistics, pragmatics, anthropology and history to understand the full gamut and significance of names in human life. This means paying attention to both naming and address practices.
In social linguistics in particular, address practices refer to the systematic ways speakers use language to designate their interlocutors during social interaction.
These practices can be categorized as personal names, titles and honorifics, kinship terms, endearment terms, zero address terms and pronouns. And these are influenced always by factors such as power and solidarity, context and cultural values.
I'll return later to these two selected areas which I call in this presentation two cities but for a moment trmit me to highlight the second major strand of my presentation which is identifying influences and my interest in language use.
Growing up at different times in two cities, Second Takar and Cape Co. I was influenced by some personalities.
I'll first talk about the influence. I'm sure some of you remember readers digest.
He was also a fan of several Christian motivational literature.
My father would often take me as a child along with him.
Each time he visited his father, that is my grandpa who was a musician in a bookshop. maninja who lived two houses from my house in Bakano second my grandfather Mr. John Benjamin Afo was a band master for the singing man in the secondary Methodist church. He had an organ at home which was a huge source of attraction to me. This was later to influence me when I enter secondary college popularly known as SEO after passing the then common entrance examination in primary six at Igra key primary advocate as I developed an interest in music taught by Mr. Isa Bilson, Junior of Blessed Memory and of Western Melodics faith. In hindsight, I would say that it was the books in my grandfather's hall that had a stronger influence on me.
Though I did not continue reading music as a subject in the secondary school, my abiding interest in it led me to a senior student in SEO by name Mr. Paul Quu who is currently in the USA who taught me how to play the organ. During holidays I would walk from Bakano to Secendi through the rails Bakadoo to anic crew for my music lessons with Mr. Ary using the organ in an Methodist church.
Another great influence was my class 6 teacher Mr. Damson. I'm happy he's here.
who persuaded my father who persuaded my father to allow me to commence secondary education at age 12 after I had passed the common entrance examination.
He would always encourage the class to read widely and so walking from Bakano to the secondary regional library close to the Anglican church was a joy to me.
Now let me talk about Krist maternal uncles Mr. Matiasu and Mr. Emmanuel McKayu who were accountants each time I came to Cape Coast for holidays and for fetu affair under the supervision of Mr. Emanuel McKay Au whom I called Ankopy.
I had to write essays for him to mark his demand for clarity in thought, organization and clear handwriting and note I had introduced them to you as accountants.
But they were the ones who encouraged me to read the bridge versions of Shakespeare and Chosa.
No wonder I chose the arts program in form three offering me the opportunity to choose literature as one of my elective subjects for the GCE ordinary level and continuing with it at the CIS 4.
Mr. Benjamin Akum I believe he's also here a cousin and a former staff member of the library in UC was always available to assist me in my language and literature exercises while on holidays in Cape Cush as I had then began the secondary school profession that is charting the academic path in 198 84 I got admission into the University of Cape Coast having passed the GC advanced level. This was an exciting moment in my life as the surroundings of the university convinced me that I had a great future given my parental background with my mom being a simress and my dad being a sawmill manager at then secondary railway corporation known as Loco. In those my father passed on just when I was preparing for the first year university examination FUEE as it was popularly called then my world came crashing down and for moments I thought that was the end of my academic journey. My academic performance in the second year greatly improved and surprisingly I was selected as a major student by the department of English throughout the third and fourth years of the BA program my teachers namely professor Nana Professor Koajiman Dr. John Enusaki, Professor Nalu of Blessed Memory, Professor Lawrence, Mr. Jeffrey K. Goi and Mr. Isa made deep impressions on me.
After mentioning Govi, I know what you are thinking about.
Even deeper were the impressions I had of the vice chancellor at the time, Professor Ka Dixon, a geographer who had an Oxford accent and Dr. Saki who spoke with almost a native English accent though a pure gun. As a young impressionable student, I desired to speak like both.
I I doubt whether I succeeded in speaking like that.
An important aspect of this stage of my becoming even at the undergraduate level was the opportunity that the department provided for me to acquire balanced knowledge of the two cities here. I mean language and literature both aspects of English as required though I chose language implying that I had to undertake my undergraduate research in language studies. The title of my undergraduate research was the use of some troublesome English words often encountered by educated Ghanaians under the supervision of the then dreaded Mr. Govik.
Ah, I said it.
This research was specifically in the area of leico semantics.
Looking back, I wondered how I could work with Mr. Govi for all the reasons that I'm sure you are thinking of.
I wondered how I could work with him and become his darling boy. Although I constantly heard eusions and betuperations of unpleasant comments from other students that suggested that Mr. Goi was a monster and a hard taskmaster.
But hey, thank you Mr. Goi wherever you are. I spoke with him two weeks ago trying to get him to be here. Uh unfortunately he's not here because of it. But thank you Mr. for the rigor you took me through and the values you inculcated in me.
I completed the first degree in 1988 with a bungalow awaiting me at Wesley Girls High School in Cape Cust where I met former vice chancellor then Mr. Gatamia my senior at the undergraduate level.
You know, we had a nickname for each other. Then I won't tell you what these nicknames are.
At Wesley Girls, I taught both language and literature. My involvement with English language education at the secondary school continued for some years at Mida Secondary School and University of Cape Coast Practice Senior High School until upon reflection I decided to enroll in a master's program that had just commenced at the department of English UCC. We were the second batch but I'll tell you more about the M's program. I commenced my Mfield program English language in 1995.
reading English courses such as semantics under Dr. Saki, grammar under the dreaded Mr. Goi, discourse analysis under professors, and social linguistics under the longest ever serving lecturer in the department of English, Professor Kofi Eduang of memory, allowing me then to acquire the depth and breadth of knowledge of these areas. It is worthy of note that at the mast's level, I had only two mates.
Oh, you don't want to clap for me.
These were Jy Setu, currently also a professor and an accomplished Ghanaian church musician of considerable reput organist and composer and professor Dura Francis Kuwando, a former probas chancellor of UCCC and Ghana's current high commissioner to Canada.
Interestingly, this entire class, as you can see, has produced professors. A feat I believe may be difficult for many former mates of one class to accomplish.
Well, sorry, you don't have to MDS.
The days spent under my Mfield lectures were difficult to say the least, but impactful as we had to make presentations almost every week because we are only three. So you make a presentation this week, the next week you have to make another one.
Professor Yangson's course social linguistics particularly attracted my attention. At the end of the first meeting with a professor in class, I decided to undertake my research in socialastics precisely address terms in three speech communities in Cape Coast namely Apuska Amonga and University of Cape Coast. This Mfield research explored the influence of urbanism on the use of address terms across the three mentioned speech communities.
After completing the Mfield program, I was recruited as an assistant lecture in the department. It was clear at this point that the PhD was not optional but mandatory if I were to progress in my chosen career.
several applications for admission and funding in native English speaking settings like the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia to pursue further studies of the English language through future until I met Miss Alfreda AR a friend from second.
I had there she is.
I had taught her at the undergraduate level. She told me she had earlier studied applied linguistics in Tessle in Singapore under the ages of a Commonwealth award and therefore I could consider National University of Singapore, N US for short. Though I initially hesitated because I thought that Singapore was as common country as Ghana. So there was no need going there to study English.
But eventually I obliged with encouragement from my supervisors, Professor Yangen and Professor.
I began my doctoral studies at Singapore's premier university, National University of Singapore N US on 2nd January 2002.
In my first year at N US, I took courses including measurement and evaluation, theory and practice of writing, advanced grammar and research methods. In fact, it was in advanced grammar taught by professor K or Holoran that I got introduced to systemic functional linguistics, SFFL for short, which was taught in a language laboratory with lots of practice in the application of software to analyze text.
But you know this was new and challenging for me because I had not had that opportunity at UCCC.
I started taking interest in the work of Francis Christie and Jim Martin. The handling of theory and practice of writing by Professor Paul Bruceio, an American of French origin deepened my interest in general composition, professional communication, discourse analysis and rhetoric as he introduced the class to writing scholars such as RPA, Patricia Basil, Charles Bzerman among others.
My explicit interest in English for academic and publishing purpose was triggered by Professor Desmond Allison, a towering academic of Scottish extraction.
My doctoral education at N US was marked by further interesting experiences.
I soon found out that I was a sole black person in my PhD class and other classes I joined, which made me initially very very uncomfortable.
My classes were truly multilingual with students and lecturers coming from different parts of the world namely the USA, the UK, South Korea, North Korea, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia with the attendant different English accents which obviously had implications for intelligibility, acceptability, and tolerability.
Soon I met a few Africans on campus such as Umar Idrusu a Ghanian PhD economics student, Ajibadi, a Nigerian building and construction PhD student, Rafael, a Nigerian PhD philosophy student, Edward Banaman Wood, I'm not sure whether he's here, but a Ghanian MA social welfare student I met. Professor Ofori, a Ghanian building and construction lecturer. Professor Immanuel Kun, a Nigerian engineering lecturer, and Professor Alex Mutbe, a Ugandan international relations lecturer. Oh yes, I remember Bill Tu, a Ghanian computer analyst who worked with a company in Singapore. These individuals provided the support I needed.
It is worth remembering how I benefited from N US funding of my attendance at separate conferences each year in Cambridge University, Oregon University, Sydney University and Real in Singapore.
I'm thankful to N US for this generous gesture.
With my interest in how people use language expressed in my pre-doal research, I explored disciplinary rhetoric in the examination essays of Ghanaian undergraduate students in English studies, sociology and zoologology using SWIL's ESB gen theory in my PhD research. This was in the broad area of English for academic purposes. I completed the PhD in August 2006 under the able supervision of professors Sunnita and Abraham.
My PhD thesis defense remains memorable to me because I spent only 15 minutes presenting my 350 page thesis.
Although the entire session lasted 3 hours with my principal supervisor remaining silent throughout the period as expected by the university's rules.
The thesis defense seemed to me more inquisitorial rather than celebratory.
Well, that's my view. Perhaps an institutional difference.
Having completed the doctoral program, I turned my attention to returning to UCCC.
Although I had to accept a post-doal fellowship at the reputable university of the Vitwater Strand in Johannesburg, South Africa and I must say that uh I I got into trouble with the University of Kos. uh when I accepted that I worked under the mentorship of the well-known critical pedagog professor Hillary JS together we explore the interface between discourse analysis and post-graduate pedagogy using PhD thesis from three disciplines as data and these were sociology wildlife and entomology and literature My PhD thesis and post-doctoral experiences taught me the value of recognizing disciplinary variation in the academic as a useful contextual variable for research in English for academic and publishing purposes.
I returned to UCCC in September 2007.
I'm not sure it was so much the love of UCCC.
Uh but I returned and in December 2007, witnessed the painful demise of my mom.
Ever since I have been in Ghana with occasional trips outside Ghana for various academic and professional purposes.
I missed my sabbatical because of COVID 19 as plans were far advanced for me to be in China having laid the foundation in my earlier two visits.
Thank you.
In the first round of the presentation, Professor Chair and ladies and gentlemen, I shall look at my research efforts from the two cities, English for academic and publishing purposes and socioastics.
First, English for academic purposes.
In the last 27 years, I've been involved in a research focusing on expert writing which involves research articles, first scripts, the writing of textbooks among others. But I've also been interested in novice writing. Examples of such forms of writing include research proposal, the thesis, examination essays, and dissertation among others.
I've also been interested in professional or pedagogic writing especially by data letter of recommendation and cause outlines.
Over the years I have considered the macro and micro aspects of these written genres.
For the purpose of this presentation, I highlighted few of such.
I have frequently used Swel's ESB move analysis to analyze the schematic structure of written academic genres.
Specific genres studied include the research article, examination essay and thesis or dissertation.
past genres such as undergraduate and post-graduate dissertation acknowledgements, literature review, reference list, research article, conference titles as well as occluded genres such as thesis assessment reports, grant recommendation letters or letters of support and personal statements. These works have allowed me to examine their rhetorical structures, linguistic features as against the backdrop of disciplinary variation.
Studies of the research article which is recognized as the key mode of scholarly communication in academia led me to explore rhetorical features such as the titles of research articles, titles of conference proceedings and research article abstracts.
In fact, following studies that I had conducted on research article titles with one of my students appear and with another student who is here, Dr. Cotto and with Ankuma and Mu Laru.
I received an invitation from some Indonesian researchers to participate in a project.
This resulted in a 2024 paper titled linguistic characteristics of research article titles in national and international ELT journals.
This study filled a gap by investigating the average text length and synthetic structure of 120 research article titles based on research design.
The findings from the study contributed to the scholarship on the contrastive aspect of titling practices in English for publishing purposes.
Further, my research on reference list in post-graduate thesis focus on the structural and rhetorical conventions used by doctoral students in a South African university.
I highlight how disciplinary communities influence the organization labeling and location of these reference lists.
In a cross-disiplinary study on doctoral thesis, I observed that reference lists are not merely administrative agenda but also rhetorically significant sections that reflect a disciplinary norms and practices.
in a paper titled the politics of citation analysis of doctoral thesis across disciplines a paper I co-authored with my post-doal mentor professor Hillary JS I also argue that the reference list of bibliography for doctoral students constitutes a rhetorical site for the enactment of politics due to students alliances and misalignances in their selection of scholars and researchers. This can be found in a paper that was published in 2013 with JS.
I also analyze how examiners use positive feedback in examination reports to validate students work particularly in the introduction and methodology chapters. I also collaborated with a mentee and now a PhD holder Gabriel Tete to also investigate the form of examiner comments in a study of Hendrick examination reports specifically showing how they critique students knowledge of literature and their ability to justify theoretical frameworks.
An early but significant portion of my work over the years critiqued the communicative skills curriculara in Ghanaian universities arguing for a shift from general remediation to discipline specific writing.
I still hold the view that EAP curriculara in Ghanaian universities must advance a balance between general and discipline specific writing while incorporating genre based instruction to facilitate student inculturation into the university. Influenced by the course I took during my doctoral studies that is theory and practice of writing back in UCCC. I argued for the institutionalization of academic writing course as a way to assist graduate students in acquiring academic literacy skills and writing quality thesis. My joint research with some mentees in 2022 on supervisor's perceptions on the writing of post-graduate literature review indicated that there were major student challenges in criticality, synthesizing, referencing and language use.
Furthermore, I have utilized autoethnographic approaches to explore doctoral writing of two key genres that is the research proposal and the thesis.
Finally, my work in English for academic purposes addresses the role of academic editors and the linguistic challenges faced by researchers when trying to publish in international journals.
Other professional journals I focus on include the lecturer's biographical statement submitted to a first crit and here I explore the identity of scholars in their bio data attached to this genre.
I now come to socioastics.
I have extensively researched either single-handedly or collaboratively or through supervised research on naming and address practices in Ghana focusing on academic settings and account cultural context. My work often utilizes ethnographic and interactional social linguistic frameworks to analyze how individuals strategically navigate interpersonal relationships through varied address forms and naming practices.
The following are some specific illustrative works.
In my foundational study on address terms among university students, I identified three major categories of address forms used among Ghanaian undergraduate students. These were personal names, descriptive terms and titles which serve as idioct to define the student community and allow them to express multiple evolving identities.
In a co-authored work with Magnati, one of my mentees and currently an assistant professor in Lgna University in Hong Kong, I analyze terms of endearment like sweetie pie among students characterizing them as markers of innovation and conviviality.
Yet another research highlights how gendered identities influence the choice of address forms, noting considerable variation in how male and female students address one another and their faculty.
In a joint research titled and madame are not address terms and reference terms students use for faculty in a Ghanaian university with Dr. and Laru, a former MU student and now a senior lecturer in the department of English. I examine how students address their lecturers in class and how they use different reference terms for these same lectures when the lecturers leave the class.
I'm not sure whether I have any nickname from any of the students.
I I I I only know about Prof and sir I I believe I don't have any other name apart from this.
But this paper proved as I have indicated from the title that in class when students refer to their professors they refer to them if male as said if female as madam but when the lecturers leave only God knows the names they give them.
I I'm aware that I have some names, but I won't share them with you.
These sets of address and reference terms constitute symbols of both domination and resistance to academic authority. In a very recent co-published study with wisdom vifa, one of my mentees and a PhD student in UCC, I explored how educated Ghanian couples address each other in everyday interaction.
We identify six main address forms in German terms, first names, cliff names, descriptive phrases, titles, and zero address terms. The study demonstrates that address terms among couples are not merely labels but important social linguistic resources through which couples express love, negotiate respect and reflect both tradition and modernity in the Ghanaian society. Within the account nolinguistic landscape, address practices are dictated by non-llinguistic variables such as age, gender, social status, and the relationship between interactants.
Here, work on a non-kinship terms highlights how tradition and modernity blend in postc colonial Ghana.
My research extends to also specialized communities of practice such as male basketball players who use ethnic related terms, descriptive epithets, personal names and nicknames to build solidarity and to express a distinct group identity.
My broader nomic work includes exploration of church names in Ghana. My work with Dr. Osay Yawakoto on names in churches reveals the use of global liturgical languages such as Greek, Hebrew and Latin and local languages such as English and other indigenous languages.
A closely related study on church names also shows how names are used for identity construction.
expanding my research into linguistic landscape that is the visibility of language on public science and in commercial naming. I have investigated the names of hotels in Ara with a mentee and a PhD student in Hong Kong noting how these names serve as symbiotic tools that index urbanism and globalization while maintaining local cultural relevance.
BR's anfield thesis part of which is to be published soon investigates the public science in UCCC showing a range of communicative functions those that are regulatory those that are referential and those that are aesthetic based on the 27 years of research conducted in these two cities English for academic and publishing purposes with emphasis on academic writing and socioastics profch Okay, ladies and gentlemen, and I'll take a quick but brief peep into the future as the fifth strength of today's presentation, which tells you that I'm about to end my presentation.
My research on English for academic and publishing purposes utilizing Malaya analysis ranging from letters of recommendation to undergraduate dissertation acknowledgements and research article titles highlights the tension between the push for international publishing standards and the contextual social linguistic realities of Ghanaian scholars.
scholars and students in Ghana are primarily non-native speakers of English but write in a system where English is the sole official language and medium of instruction.
Also, a key issue from my research is the institutional foundational courses at Ghanaian universities such as UCCC's communicative skills program and other similar programs elsewhere which often heavily emphasizes remediation leading to a gap between what students need for discipline specific context and what is taught.
Given the scenario painted of the English for academic and publishing purposes situation in Ghana as presented in my research over the last 27 years, I offer the following recommendations for high education targeting both learners and experts. First, I recommend that foundational writing programs in Ghanaian University be reviewed and redesigned in UCCC and several other public universities where we have communicative skills or use of English and academic writing. There must be a curricular shift away from immediation toward discipline specific orientation combined with technology- based and critical based pedagogy to address modern academic needs.
Second, for the purpose of capacity building and staff retraining, tertiary educational institutions should institutionalize specialized retraining for EAP instructors and post-graduate thesis supervisors to better align with global and local EAP trends. To ensure targeted staff development, universities and other stakeholders must provide internal funding and specialized training for junior faculty and doctoral students focusing on international publishing literacy, citation practices and gen conventions to improve global academic visibility.
The academic writing for graduate students course in UCCC I believe should be reviewed in terms of its objectives pedogy and material development.
I want to believe that this started in 2017.
As far as I'm concerned, no review has taken place.
For instance, in terms of pedagogy, workshops geared towards promoting genre awareness in pedagogy could be employed by lecturers to explicitly teach textual, rhetorical, and linguistic features such as metadisourse, hedging, and evaluative lessons. So doctoral students especially can transition smoothly into international publishing spaces.
Other universities in Ghana should consider introducing post-graduate writing courses. As far as I'm concerned, it is only UCCC that has an academic writing course for post-graduate students. And it is my conviction that all other public universities in Ghana will need to introduce academic writing course for their postgraduate students.
Such courses must embed English for academic purposes and publishing purposes models into the coursework.
Indeed, implementing specialized English for publishing purposes and graduate writing courses is essential to boost the global visibility and research output of Ghanaian universities, whether public or private.
Now, let me come to socialastics.
My lecture on social nomasticity that is address and naming practices in Ghana reveals how naming and address practices reflect social identity, power dynamics and cultural values in diverse domains like spousal relationships, sports and academia.
While English serves as the official medium of instruction and administration in Ghana, communication is highly localized. Naming conventions and address practices shape interpersonal interactions across the country. Misunderstanding of these context specific practices can lead to social friction or ineffective cross-cultural communication.
Based on these findings, therefore I offer some policy implication and strategic recommendations.
First of all, I believe that recognizing informal address markers and other appropriate address practices can help both academic institutions and other organizations to improve workplace cohesion and employee motivation.
Secondly, government agencies, civil societies, and corporate institutions should consider establishing communication policies that validate Ghanaian indigenous forms of address practices to promote cultural pride and respect.
The ministries of tourism or arts and culture perhaps alongside the national commission on culture should establish frameworks to protect and promote local naming practices.
This will preserve and studied local languages and keep indigenous histories alive as well.
Some ministries such as the ministries in charge of local government or decentralization and rural development should enforce guidelines for the naming of public spaces, streets and institutions. And such naming should strike a balance in my view between preserving national heritage and accommodating modern urban and global functions.
Lastly, stakeholders such as researchers and universities should mentor burden researchers with government agencies being encouraged to fund further social linguistic research in address practices and naming practices across various under represented Ghanaian linguistic communities and demographics to inform educational curriculara and practices.
Professor Ch a summary of my contributions are in the inaugur which I'm sure everybody has.
However, with your permission, I would like to mention a few here as part of the last strand of my presentation.
I first start with research followed by teaching, professional development and service.
My research in the field of English for academic and publishing purposes typically highlights my contribution to helping non-native English speakers overcome barriers to writing and publishing in high impact journals which are approximately 90% dominated by English.
Research into the specific often unspoken rules of academic writing helps to develop and teach courses that improve both the linguistic and lexical semantic as well as rhetorical and social aspects of thesis writing and writing for publication.
Concerning social anomastics, my contributions highlighted in their aforementioned publications focus on bridging the gap between traditional onomastic studies with social, linguistic, pragmatic and omographic methods to show how naming and address practices reflect social structures, cultural identity and power dynamics.
My work often bridges the gap between historical anomastics and contemporary social linguistic trends.
I believe that secondly I have showcased University of Cape in various international and domestic forums and platforms as selectively shown.
I have been a facilitator of seminars and keynote speakers for linguistics association of Ghana.
I've been a member of discipline specific associations including linguistic association of Ghana and many other associations which you have in the brochure. I've also been a presenter at many conferences in many countries such as China, Sweden, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, the UK, the USA and Singapore.
Finally, I think that you can find my research visibility in statistical terms at the following links. I wonder whether that can be shown but if that cannot be shown then I'll just move on to teaching.
In the area of teaching I have contributed to the teaching and learning of courses in English communicative skills and Ghanaian languages and linguistics in University of Kus in the last 27 years.
I have supervised and examined students thesis and projects and I'm sure that the vice chancellor elect alluded to this.
In terms of professional development, I have developed the capacity of several students and staff members in and outside the department of English in and outside University of Cape Coast. some of whom have become professors, associate professors, senior lecturers and lecturers.
In terms of service, I have served the University of Kus in various capacities as a two-term head of department of English, vice dean of school of graduate studies, dean of faculty of arts and served on boards and competes in and outside university of KUS as chairman and member and have served as chairman and member of teams for affiliation and accreditation in private and public universities in Ghana.
I also introduced a new course Jean studies in the department of English and contributed greatly in the establishment of a new department in the University of CUS department of communication studies and I'm happy that I was first head of department.
I was also instrumental in the introduction of academic writing as a mandatory course for research students at the postgraduate level in the University of Kos in 2017.
Oh, I thought you would clap for me.
At various levels in the university, departmental, faculty and college, I have assisted in the introduction and review of programs and courses.
As I end this presentation, chair, ladies and gentlemen, I do notice myself a kind of coherence, though not necessarily a linear progression of events that I have narrated. But on one hand, I see a sustained effort on my part to map the disclosal encoding of the English for academic and publishing purposes and how this influences and is influenced by disciplinarity and general considerations and on the other hand the social pragmatics of address terms and naming practices in various context.
This might become clearer ladies and gentlemen if you choose to be curious and kind enough to read some of my work.
What is clear to me is that the academic journey of becoming is not only full of learning, excitement, discovery and achievement but also fears, anxieties, disclosures and uncertainties.
Thank you wonderful audience for listening to my story. A tale of two cities, the case of an applied English linguist.
Let's kindly applaud him while he makes his way to take his seat.
Professor will be back to give his acknowledgements. Before that, we'll take a musical interlude from the department of music. Let's welcome Betty Newton.
So the song is titled when by a friend Profu to prove AO.
When you see me you do for to see what Hallelu Hallelujah.
through him.
I sle halleluj.
through why no more true in Shirra.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
Hallelu Jehovah Aldon deeper.
Jehovah in your Jehovah Shalom.
Congratul Hallelujah.
Why adore?
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
Round of applause again for Betty Newing and Mr. Saki from the department of music here at the University of Cape Coast. Now through his journey towards becoming from Secondi Takradi through to Cape Coast through the walls of SEU and Apam Senior High School to the University of Cape Coast to Singapore coming back to the University of Cape Coast. Professor AF has the real opportunity this afternoon to say thank you to each and everyone who has supported this course culminating to him delivering his inaugural lecture. Let's welcome him again on stage as he gives acknowledgements.
Let the applause flow whilst he makes his way up.
Once again, provice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor elect, I would like to stand on the protocols already established to make the following acknowledgements.
First, it is appropriate that while I have talked about the footprints on my mind from my reading and research experience, I also acknowledge the footprints made by all persons whom I've encountered in this journey for some 27 years in teaching at the University of Kost.
God has been my guide and sustainer.
I stand here today as a testimony to his sustaining and ever abiding grace.
Uh is Mr. Saki here?
Don't know whether you can help me. So, uh, Matis book 80 80 Yeah, just play just Oh, heat, heat.
Thank you, Mr. Mr. That's an expression of my gratitude to God.
I appreciate the management of the University of Kost under the current leadership of the pro vice chancellor and acting vice chancellor professor heter Mr. Gideon ab regist and former neighbor George the university director of finance acting director of finance and the university librarian Dr. public.
I profoundly appreciate my parents late Mr. JBo of the Abaka Wood and Mina Chakr family who taught me the value of education and hard work and Mr. Sarah Au of the Au family from Tamasi in Cape Coast.
My loving mother who was the epitome of sacrifice, perseverance and selflessness.
I wish both of them were alive to see this day.
So with your permission, past Chancellor Alex, I dedicate the lecture to their memory.
I appreciate all my primary school teachers who assisted me to climb the educational ladder.
Notably, Mr. Dillinga Amonga. Uh I understand she's passed on, but Mr. Damson, I believe, is here. Mr. Damson, if you're here, can can you stand up?
Uh that's my class 6 teacher.
Uh you know he's still handsome.
When my dad on receiving the news that I had passed the Kuma entrance thought that I was too young to go to the secondary school. In fact, he had told me that I was not going because if I went to the secondary school, I'll become a Russian.
He was afraid that I will come back speaking pigeon English.
But it was the reason why even when my three daughters dare me to a competition involving pigeon English, I'm not able to speak pigeon English.
And my three girls simply laugh at me because dad cannot speak pigeon English.
And it was because of the fear and regard that I had for my dad who warned me against I mean coming back to the house speaking pigeon English.
But it was Mr. Damson who came to my house and convinced my dad that even though I was young, he should allow me to go to circle the secondary school. So Mr. Thanks. Thank you very much.
I thank Mr. Sari, currently a chief at Senior Breu. I once met him, I think about 5 years ago. I don't know where he is now. And Mr. Wu, whose administration at Apam Secondary School during my s form education made a huge impact on me.
I equally acknowledge my teachers in the University of Cape Coast, National University of Singapore and the University of Betwistan, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Uh you all presented different slices of life from which I selected what was needed to build my personality and to construct my academic journey.
In particular, I would like to thank then Dr. Though a language scholar who deepened my interest in canonical English literature, I cannot forget his insistence that I get my punctuation right in the final copy of my Mfield thesis.
I remember Dr. uh whose powerful cadences, metrical patterns and protic features while he read poems in his English poetry, metaphysical poetry, romantic poetry and modern poetry lessons.
I cannot thank you more, Professor Yansen of blessed memory for igniting my interest in social linguistics and Mr. Goi who taught me the values of hard work, clarity of thought and I'm sure many of you will like the word I'm going to use and meticulousness in his grammar classes and in the supervision of my undergraduate dissertation.
I also thank you professors and Iraham uh who happens to have been my principal supervisor.
This is professorsa an Ibraham who was my principal supervisor and professor Hillary JS who taught me the value of all inclusive language in writing that is professor Hillary JS in the university of rand in Johannesburg South Africa I also thank professor Paul Bruceio whose theory and practice writing lecture has alerted me to the politics of writing in general and the politics and rhetoric of English punctuation.
I'm grateful to Professor Desmond Dalison who triggered my interest in English for academic and publishing purposes.
My years of teaching in this university have led to the raising of an academic family that has lovingly made me its leader and I'm grateful. The devotion of the members of this family is humbling.
I have interacted with them either as officials over or as formal and informal mentees or research collaborators.
The list cannot be exhausted here. But I can mention a few. I'm delighted to know that the first PhD student I graduated has recently become a full professor. If he's here, can we see him? Professor Kumi.
There he is.
That's my first PhD student who has graduated long ago and recently I think a few months ago became a full professor.
I can recall another high-profile mentee, Professor Eric Upmen.
Uh if you can rise up for us to see you.
That's the current vice chancellor of UNIMAC.
The PhD students have graduated over the years include I wish they can stand up so you see them. They include Dr. Osay Wako.
There he is.
senior lecturer at KUSD and president of Ghana Name Society.
Dr. Qui Safuedu, senior lecturer at KUSD who sent me a WhatsApp message that he's unable to make it. Dr. Retachi, where are you?
There she is. Senior lecturer at department of communication studies. Dr. Doip, is she here?
Okay. Thank you.
Dr. Dorothy Adam Hford, head mistress of Agri Memorial Senior High School. Is she here?
Okay. Dr. Francis Tbury.
Dr. Wilson Jr.
Yes. Thank you.
Dr. Paul Hesa, he's not here. And Dr. Deputy Anony other mentees are Dr. Elijah Iwan and Nancy in cancer both at Leon Dr. Benjamin Dr. Chi and Mr. JC at UNIMAC.
The list of my academic aspirins is inexhaustible as it continues to grow.
These include those pursuing further studies outside and those in Ghana.
Permit me to just mention a few ones in a very informal manner. First my PhD students, Mina Koka, Eric Keni Kofifa, Oed are you here?
Eben, Muhammad, Buima, Calvis, Betty, Antoanet.
The anfield students include Sulimana, Tina, Tina, are you here?
Tina, head mistress and man, senior girls.
Okay.
Chaz Priscilla Quer, where are you?
Yes, Press, because you promised that you will be here.
But you are lucky you have presented your uh thesis and defend it.
I'm also glad to mention others who are who studied their infil here but who are furthering their PhD outside. These include Ablau, Dr. Mark Nati, Dr. Gabriel Ket and then we have Emmanuel Mesa Bunu and Michael Kaji. I think Michael Kaji I've seen Michael Kaji around. Michael, are you here? Yes.
Uh he's in Hong Kong but he's here to collect data. I'm so happy seeing you here. They have all provided a needed platform for this family celebration today.
I'm also grateful and I don't take for granted the post-graduate research students and course representatives from the school of physical sciences, school for development studies, school of biomedical sciences, school of business, faculty of arts and school of nursing and midway who have provided me the platform to impart my knowledge in academic writing. I'm grateful to all students from these schools.
In fact, I'm grateful for the invitations that come to me every year from the vice deans of these schools and faculties.
In my academic journey, I've also built relationships with friends and colleagues in other campuses.
These institutions can be perceived as my second hopes.
These relationships have been developed due to any of the following factors.
External thesis examination, external assessment of promotion papers, conferences, supervision and other short visits. Among these institutions are KNUS, Legon, UEW, Christian Science College, University of Waterrand, V University in Amsterdam, Hinan City in China, Cambridge University, Oregon University, Ibadan University, Sani Technical University and I'm excited to mention professors whom I have worked with such as the vice chancellor of Ligon, professor Abam Fatia, professor Gordon Nadika, Professor Akin Laari, Professor Jamaima Anderson, Professor Usam, Professor Sai, Professor Reu, Professor Amuzu, Professor Chaz Mafu, Professor Fufu, Professor Patricia Jim, Professor Sichu, Professor Attention, Professor Yumari, Professor Babatundi, Professor Brinkra, Dr. Sanka, Dr. Peter, Dr. Filimin Oasu.
These are colleagues from other universities I have worked with who have all helped to shape my perspective as an intellectual.
Now to faculty of arts UCCC.
I appreciate all the deans who have served in the faculty of arts since I became a faculty member.
Professor Nino, professor O of blessed memory, professors, professors and the current dean, professor Safo Safanka.
Thank you all for the support that you gave and continue to give me. I thank the entire faculty of for the opportunities given me through colloquia conferences, lecture series and its faculty journals drumsp speakak and aska to grow.
I cannot forget such senior professors as professor ammoir, professor kofi and professor bru.
But there's something I need to say about professor bru.
When I was growing up as an undergraduate student, I literally feared professor bru at the old side.
His appearance always scared me.
Then I started the masters.
Then all of a sudden I realized that Professor Brutum was showing interest in me.
I was wondering professor Brum taking the initiative to always ask young man how are you? The first time he greeted me and asked me that question I wondered whether he had not made a mistake.
But no, he had not made a mistake because he was constantly coming to the department of English because of his two friends, Professor Nani Pukajan and Professor Kujo Pukajman.
And then I started the masters.
I was to defend my thesis.
I had been attending faculty lectures and I had witnessed how sometimes aggressive Professor Brit can be when even making his comments.
And so my prayer was that at my empises he will not be there.
I don't know whether that day when I prayed God didn't answer my prayer.
Just when everything was over and the chairperson was going to run off, I don't know what happened. He asked, "Is there any senior member who wants to ask a question?"
Professor Britum had just entered. In fact, he was late.
I thought that because he was late, excuse me, say he was going to shut up.
But he was the only one who raised a hand and the chair had to allow him uh to ask his question.
Oh, Professor Brutu.
Honestly, when he asked the question, truth be told, I couldn't answer his question.
But ever since, I have valued his friendship. This time he meets me as a junior colleague. We would talk about academia and how we can make progress.
Professor Brickum, thank you very much.
Wherever you are, is she here?
I'm I'm grateful. I'm grateful. I'm grateful.
I appreciate all my colleagues in the departments of French and Ghanian languages and linguistics in the University of Cape Crew for the high quality of interaction and collaboration that have built my academic personality.
I would like to mention a name that many of you would wonder how I got to know this person. This is professor manra from the faculty of social sciences from the department of sociology.
When I finished my PhD course work, I had to come back to Ghana Ghana to collect data. Originally my work was to focus on three disciplines. economics, English and zoologology.
I went to the department of economics.
The head of department at the time was I think Dr. VJ I believe he's passed on.
Uh he didn't allow me. uh he told me that uh examination scripts were uh I mean uh security materials in spite of all that I said including a letter from my university national university of Singapore he wouldn't allow so I had to get back to my supervisor professor Sunan Ibra and she asked do you have a department that is devoted to the teaching and learning of sociology I said yes okay then given the framework you are using uh can you go to the department and rather collect data from that department that's when I had to see professor mansapra who was then the head of department but you know it wasn't going to be easy for me to approach it somehow um I mean some of the things that I had heard about uh I mean this university uh it was so difficult approaching her and of course her own personality itself was also another issue.
So how was I going to meet Professor Manser Prep?
Well, being a man, I had tasted courage.
I eventually went to meet her. In fact, I was surprised the kind of welcome she gave me. It was at that point that I learned one critical lesson in life.
Never passed any judgment on any person until you've met that person.
Back in Singapore, I was constantly receiving emails from Professor Manra who was not from my faculty, always asking how I was doing. And yet, I had heard several negative and terrible things about Professor Manra.
So, I'm grateful to Professor Manra for her support. But she taught me one great lesson which I've just shared with you. Now my department department of English I thank past members of the department. Professor Yansen of blazed memory professors professor nanop Mr. Isa professor kajima Mr. Goi for their mentorship and their belief in me.
I thank professor Franciscoca Edugando my mfield mate and friend and Dr. my former office mate and confidant.
I appreciate the current head of department of English, Professor Musa Traro.
I'm grateful to colleagues in the department such as Professor Saf of Cananka, Professor Roessa, Professor Anansa who is not here but sent me a word this morning. Dr. Mingar who is also not here but who sent me a word. Dr. Abasam, Dr. Lina Zaku, Frank Mesa, Dr. Aon, Dr. Saer, Dr. Emisa Atawut for the quality of academic interactions we have had over the years in departmental seminars, workshops and conferences.
I thank you all for your capacity for reflection on our practice. Your capacity for healthy skepticism and hardnosed critique, your capacity for optimism, enthusiasm as well as warm friendship.
Now my infieldmates professor Franciscoca Eduando I'm so grateful to her as I told you we were only two mates uh three mates and I liked the support she gave me.
In fact the support we gave one another.
And then you have professor JYC Kibu.
I think I mentioned him sometimes I wonder how he's able to study those days as students.
I think at that time he must have been the president or chairman of GIC Ghana Methodist Association of Coristers. He was all over the place traveling here and there and yet each time we had presentations JY was present to make his presentation and when he makes his presentation it is so deep that we wonder what time he gets to be able to make such presentations given that as a chairman of an association covering the whole of Ghana he had to be traveling from one society or dasis to another. So thank you my Mfield mates professor Eduando and professor Sichuedu for the kind of support that you gave me even in the journey to this point now administrators and supporting staff I profoundly appreciate over the years the fantastic administrators with their subordinate officers I've engaged with while a student lecturer head of department and dean I remember Mr. Fred, Ivonne, Flory, Audra, Richard, Nati, Brigat, Marian Lumpy, and the current administrator in my department, Elicia Granch.
In fact, I still remember Fred. Fred, are you here?
Yes, that's Fred. It was Fred who took me through the rudiments of how to be an administrator.
As an academic, I was a coordinator of the communicative skills unit and I didn't know a thing about how to administer a unit. It was Fred who helped me to get to the basics.
I'm grateful to all of you, the administrators and the supporting staff for the support given. I also acknowledge the spiritual impact of the scripture union Ghana Methodist Students Union, Gamsu at a point I was the secretary in this university, the Methodist Church, Abra and Wesley Cathedral and other Christian groups throughout my personal and academic journey.
In fact, some of our friends have expressed regrets.
I mean friends in the Christian community they have expressed regret that I never became a reverend minister.
I I don't know whether it's late but I always tell them that I had never received any calling and so I couldn't have become a reverend minister but I'm aware of many professors who after retirement uh become a reverend ministers perhaps for all you know uh very soon I will become a rever minister I would like to thank God from my early Christian friends such as Ghana's the former high commissioner toolio if you can show it. This is his excellency Francis Abaka.
He was gest commissioner to Leon.
But as I speak to you uh his together with his siblings are receiving the body of the mother, the 90year-old mother and tomorrow uh the mother is going to be buried. And so that explains why uh he's not here. Otherwise, he would have been here. The next is her leadership, Hannah Taylor. She's right in front of me. Hannah, when we went to SEU from class 6, I went with her. So, it was the two of us in class 6 who went to SEU.
I went after a sec from 1 to 5. I went to a palm secondary school and you went to agree right? Okay. She decided to go to Lego because of law and then I decided to come here. Ever since we have we have become very close friends very close friends. So that's uh her leadership Hannah Taylor. And then um there's another person I'd like to mention uh that's uh Bishop Bishop Bishop Saki.
He's a second to those who know Daki Mills.
If Daki Wels is not there, he's the next that is Bishop Beniza Abednego Saki again. and he was my mate together with Hana uh in SEO uh form one. Okay, so that's Saki. Uh he just sent me a note. Uh he was trying very hard to be here. He tells me he'll be here by 5:00.
Uh is it 5?
It's past 5. Okay. But he said he'll try and be here by 5. Okay.
Uh the next is uh uh we simply call her a nas. Uh of all the three friends uh a nas was the closest to me in terms of where we lived in second day. Uh she was a former uh head mistress of I think uh secondary school and uh holy child as well and holy child. Yes. So that is Mrs. Anastia Anastasia Tomford Orchard.
So these are my close friends right from secondary school. right from secondary school. Uh let me also mention among the Christians that I've been mentored and helped along my journey as a Christian uh by a number of people including Mr. Bona uh Mr. Joel Oette a Nigerian obviously you can see from the name who is not in Ghana at the moment and then Mr. Castro Bosumi Mr. Where are you?
Can you stand up so we can see you?
I I think when I was in in form one or so you you were in upper sex or lower sex.
Upper sex. Upper sex. But he was among those who who mentored me who trained me together with is it brother a champ.
Yes. Okay. Those days I mean everybody was brother sister that kind of stuff.
Uh so should I call you brother Castro or Mr. Castro?
So thank you uh Mr. Castro Bushri for being here. Uh was Mr. Pencil able to come? Oh Mr. Pencil that's another senior of mine in school. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Paul uh we spoke he's in the US so he's not here. Mr. Eugene Johnson, uh, he was my prayer partner for some years here. I'm not sure he's here now. My Singapore friends, uh, Dr. Eddie Banaman Wood, are you here?
Eddie, as for Eddie, when I went to Singapore, uh, the system was quite different at the time from the system uh, in Ghana.
And so every assignment at that time I mean you had to type and uh in those days uh if I had to type something I had to type and look at the machine and and and that was a problem. But Ed Banaman was so fast. So anytime I had an assam an assignment I would just write everything out and then Eddie would type everything out for me. And so I owe a lot to him for helping me along the way.
So Eddie Banaman Wood but I also had Umar Ibusu who was an economic student a PhD economic student. I had an Indian friend Sanjie and Nigerian friends Rafael and Ajubati and I had a Singaporean friend uh Angara and uh one of my Singaporean mates was Jennifer Tan and I like the moments we share together on campus and outside campus.
I also like to mention some associations that I've been identified with and who have provided various forms of support for my growth and development as an academic. uh I'm talking about um linguistics association of Ghana Ghana name society but I'm also grateful to seco old students the 1980 group apam old students uh I'm also grateful to UCCC 1988 old students and all other groups uh that have in one way or the other helped me to come thus far let me also say that I have neighbors from second uh who are here uh we lived in a big house in Kendi uh Bakana and uh uh some of the children of the people who lived in that big house I believe are here. I would like to mention uh Auntie Cecilia. Uh I don't know whether any children Oh, Angel thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Uh Mr. Koff, is there anybody Mr. Kof's children? Mr. Ko.
Okay. Uh Mr. Ain Mr. Ank Yes. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you.
Uh Mr. Kenya, Mr. Kenya, Ankis, uh anyone represented, but thank you so much. Um Mr. J, Mr. J's children m if anyone here but thank you for all the support and all the opportunities that we had when we were growing up together in that big house.
I also thank my new found neighbors at B but uh my neighbors at BHU where are you all all my friends and neighbors at but thank you thank you thank you so much thank you so much for for coming. Thank you so much.
Um, Mr. Bonnie, Mr. Ado, okay, I would like to also thank my Ping. I don't know whether he's here but the rep sister Katakra and I'm sure the other council of elders are also here members are here from Tamis in Tomo. Okay Tom where are you?
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Now, I appreciate the Abakaw Abakaw family from Takrai Elmina. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for being here.
Uh my siblings, uh I Okay, so he's the one who comes directly after me.
Um uh the the the next is not in Ghana.
Augustina.
Okay, that's uh Ebeneza.
Okay, thank you. And then Gifty.
Okay. Thank you.
Thank you for your love and support, respect and trust over the years. uh relationship. Our relationship has been unique in many respects and I relish it very much. Uh let me also uh talk about my cousins. I'm sure they are here.
Theus are they here loveless Dory. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Uh Ankerben Ben.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Arab Arbino premp and my kids I have three kids uh two of them that uh uh the last one uh who is Press FBA AF. Okay. So, just uh two of them are not in Ghana now and so that's why she is the only one here representing uh the others and so I thank them for their tolerance and love over the years. Uh this is our family celebration. I'm grateful to them.
Finally, my wife before I I thank my wife by the Harten for her support over the years. I'm indeed very grateful.
But I think that I also have to thank a group of people that's the planning committee.
I want to thank all of them. I want to thank Alisha, Dr. Basam.
So that's Dr. Basam.
Next, next Ara Joanna.
Next, Hannah Dolores.
Dr. Isaac Maru, Dr. Ou from K University, one of my PhD students, Kofuga, and one of my PhD students, Bakquin Kinsley.
I guess that's the end. Thanks so much for helping to put this together.
If for any reason I have not mentioned you, just pardon me. And thank you very much if for nothing at all for your presence here for listening uh to all that I've had to say uh whether you understood or not. Thank you very much.
>> Can I sit down?
>> Okay.
>> Right. So at this point we're going to witness what we call the robing. It's a brief ceremony to welcome formally to the college of professors. On that note, I'd invite the college of professors to help us with the rubbing.
That's the ritual. That's the ritual.
I have a junior brother even though he's far senior to me but this ritualistic business I want him to do it.
I'll have another opportunity one day too. Man is here.
Thank you very much.
On behalf of College of Professors, we are very proud to receive Dr. JBA Afo in our midst. We hope he will strengthen our college and continue to help us to make an impact in the university. Thank you very much.
Congratulations, Professor Alfa.
Where's the rope?
So today you have heard him. He was hiding in one corner. Hold on my dear.
He was hiding. Today he has showcased himself. Now you know him. when you meet him in the street oruinfo jb au and he's coming in with all the young ones who are joining us later to help re innovate to to help revive and give the college of professors the real mandate that it is expected and he's expected to groom many more students, many more hands for mother Ghana and mother UCC University of competitive choice. So on this note, I'll invite our acting vice chancellor here. He is my son with uh the help of professor Bon Simpson where he there now.
So they will help robe the young one to welcome him symbolically into the college of Oinfu or so you see that he is going to remove that uh no it it's it's almost like casford color and I'm happy but unfortunately he has to remove it when I see cast color I'm very the hall of holes.
So this is to symbolize that he is formally welcome into the house into the family and that he's being challenged as I said to continue to work and to now work harder than he was doing.
And so thereafter when all when he's been when he's finished when they have finished robbing him we will now congratulate him and whisper a few words into his ears. That one nobody will hear. Uh that's the ritual.
All right. So thank you very much.
>> Thank you very much Prof. Hello. Hello.
>> Members of the College of Professors are now taking turns to congratulate Professor JB Au.
still have a good photo with Professor AU. Members of the college would take a photo with Professor Au.
Thank you very much college of professors. I would invite the registra Mr. Gideon Enoch Abiquay to congratulate Professor Ao.
We're welcoming the registra University of Cape Coast Gideon Enoch Abbequay Esquire to congratulate invite the vice chancellor of UNIMAC, Professor Eric Upumensa to take his turn to congratulate Professor Au. He indicated he's a mentee of Professor Au.
I would invite the immediate past registra University of Cape Coast Mr. Jeff Tay Emmanuel Oyami to make his way up stage to congratulate Professor Al.
Professor Abigail Bookumensa, Director, Center for International Education and Collaboration, UPSA, would also take a 10 to congratulate Professor Aul.
She'll be followed by the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Professor Rafael Combe.
You're welcoming Professor Abigail Opuku Mensa.
Coming up, the provos of the college of agriculture and natural sciences, Professor Rafella Comi.
Let's welcome her leadership justice Hannah Taylor the supervising high court judge Kumasi classmates of professor Aul on that note um your lady my lady can you stay on the side as I invite Mr. Damson, the class 6 teacher of um Professor AU.
Do we have other classmates here? Year group mates, seniors from circle circle mates, seniors from circle. You do this together with Mr. Damson.
So they are with their class six teacher.
Thank you very much. We invite the former acting director sediccom, Mr. Spencer Francis Taylor to also take a stand.
We welcoming the former director Central Region Development Commission Sedicum Mr. to Spencer Francis Taylor.
We would invite the wife and children, the wife and daughter who is here.
We're welcoming the wife of Professor Aul and the daughter who is representing all the children.
We would invite all siblings siblings who are here brothers and Sister, brothers of Professor Au and sister, siblings who are here.
Siblings.
Sister of Professor Ao, please.
Gifty, gifty, we are waiting for you.
After this, we would invite all family members to also take their turn.
All family members will take their turn after the siblings.
All family members please approach the days.
All family members please come up stage to take a photo with Professor Aul. All family members please stay on. Siblings you are part of family.
All family members please all family members S.
All family members, please approach the stage for this photo.
Coming up stage, all family members Show me a picture.
after family members. Miss Alfreda Apri, Miss Alfreda Apri after family members.
U tag U tag UCC will follow after Miss Appre will take its stand after Miss Appre Miss Alfredo Appre will now take her turn.
Utag is next after Miss Appre.
Department of English please get ready after you talk. Department of English after you talk. Department of English PhD students would also come after the department of English.
UTAG is taking its turn now after UTAG. The department of English is the department of communication studies here.
Department of Communication Studies.
Utah University of Cape Coast is currently on stage taking its turn to congratulate Professor Au.
Department of English, please please make your way up the stage. age.
Department of English. Please note that when you approach the stage from my left, exit from my right.
Department of English, PhD graduates.
who have your work supervised by Professor Aul, Department of M um English.
We currently have the department of English within the college of humanities and legal studies here at the University of Cape Coast taking its turn to congratulate Professor Aul.
Yes. Yes. Right.
Please exit from my left so that the department of communication studies can make its way up. Department of communication studies please approach the stage from my right.
My right.
Department of Communication Studies.
PhD students, please approach from my right. PhD students, please approach from my right.
PhD.
Now, Professor Britum Professor Brit will take his turn after PhD students of Professor Afo have their photo with him.
Professor Britum, please exit from my left so that Professor Brum can make his way. Thank you very much.
After Professor Britum, I see the very reverend Dr. W chroma here.
Let's welcome very reverend Dr. Wubber in Chroma with the Methodist Church Ghana and then the dean of the faculty of arts professor Safos Safoant will take his turn.
Dean Faculty of Arts with staff members of the faculty or faculty members.
Professor Quabna Safo Safantanka, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, together with members of faculty We'll take the final photo with M Phil students please move towards the stage.
M Phil students of Professor AF kindly approach the stage from my right please.
Please approach from my right all Mfield students of Professor AU.
So prof one of your students would want to make a presentation. Alex or himing sorry after which your Mfield students would also follow suit.
So the gentleman is only representing Alex or himing.
All Mfield students, please join in the photo.
This will be the final photo.
Professor Apple with his Mfield students.
And I'll tell you why we'll take a photo.
We currently have Mfield students of Professor Aul on stage. Please note that you'd exit the stage from my left.
Please exit from my left and then our poet will take the very last photo with Professor Aul.
Thank you very much. Prof. You would exit the stage, but you will take the turn on my right. As you take your seat, you would shake hands with Osabuma, Dr. the man then with the man and then the nana yaba on your way to taking your seat. Let's applaud Prof as he makes his way down the stage. This is the very final handshake. He's taking from Naanum a climaxes the inaugural lecture.
the final round of applause for him.
Again, ladies and gentlemen, we've gradually inched towards the end of the event, but before we wrap up, kindly help me acknowledge the following individuals.
We acknowledge the chair for this occasion. The pro vice chancellor, acting vice chancellor and incoming vice chancellor of UCCC, Professor Dennis Weno Aetto. We acknowledge the registar Gideon Enoch Abbequay Esquire.
We acknowledge Osabar Muis the Aua Manhin. Nanaki the third is Marin of Aua traditional area.
Nambbe yaba is kihima of aua and the queen mother of a futu. We acknowledge the vice chancellor of the university of media arts and communication professor Ericopoumensa.
We acknowledge former vice chancellor UCCC professor dowini deer kmpoli.
We acknowledge former VC gimpa professor Philip Bonsi Simpson.
We acknowledge former register UCCC Mr. Jeff Temani, former acting registister UCCC, Mr. Ebeneza Agre, the provos of the college of agriculture and natural sciences, professor Rafella Combe, the university librarian, Dr. Anthony Mark Coobbla. We acknowledge professor Abigailsa, director, center for international education and collaboration at UPSA.
her leadership, Justice Hannah Taylor, Supervising High Court Judge Kumasi.
We also acknowledge the following members of the college of professors.
Emmeritus Professor Paul Basa, Professor Sarah Dqua, Professor Yao Ankuma, Professor John Victor Mensah, Professor Levvenston Sam Amoa, Professor Eric Francis Amukuando, Professor Eugen, Professor Ishmamail Mensah, Professor Dawas Uria, Professor Reverend Engineer Professor NST, Professor Joseph Agriin, and Professor Rosemary Busu. Thank you all so much for graing the occasion. We would invite our acting vice chancellor to give his closing remarks. Let's welcome him with a round of applause.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Ausia Mr. The registister Osabar Quisiata II of Auga traditional area distinguished ladies and gentlemen you agree with me that we've had a very interesting inaugural lecture as usual today uh let's give on that note Professor Joseph Benjamin Achold Afo a resounding applause.
The topic has been extremely interesting and uh complex at the same time especially for those of us in the sciences having to delve into English language and I'm tempted to call upon professor bum to ask one powerful question and I I know professor au will be very angry with me and uh the college of professors will take me on because at inaugural lectures questions are not supposed to be asked. But on a more serious note uh we want to on my own behalf as the acting vice chancellor uh and on behalf of management congratulate professor Ao for uh coming up taking this um challenge upon himself to deliver uh his inaugural lecture on the topic tale of two cities. Um the case of an applied English uh linguist.
Um in this lecture the tale of two cities have been used as a metaphor according to what he explained to epitomize the work of Charles Dickens 1859 where in that book he compared the um the pros and cons best and worst practices in London as well as in France.
Using that as a metaphor, he focused on the relationships between theoretical linguistics having to do with um and compare that also with applied linguistics. Apply linguistic referring to the real world um language.
two cities in this sense in his lecture has been used to represent the theory and practice of the use of English language and as he noted as native we are not native English speakers but have to communicate in English and therefore it is very important to build a nexus between these two uh areas the two context these are two different contexts that are different uh when it comes to linguistic studies having to do with theoretical linguistic according to how how he explained it former academic language English language and applied linguistics having to do with everyday Ghanian or local English language. His reflections uh really has taught us that it is important to build that synergy making sure that the way a manner in which we use language English language functions in our workplaces in the conferences that we attend as well as um in the publications and work that we do.
Um he also noted that it is important to also look at the policy aspects of it where uh we need to ensure that communication policies also focus on the use of local naming practices.
In view of the time, I took quite a lot of notes, but in view of the time, I would like to end here and use the opportunity. I want to use the opportunity on my own behalf to thank all of you for coming. As I always do, I will use the opportunity to announce the next inaugural lectures. On the 25th of June, Professor Muhammad Augustine Takasi will be giving, is he here? Yes. will be giving his inaugural lecture and a month later on the 30th that is a tentative date for now professor DDJ would also be giving his inaugural lecture.
Um the last thing I want to say is that I have been in discussions with the college of professors in to see how best we put structure into our inaugural lectures in terms of the timing and the content and I'm very happy that professor Afo has given further uh clarity on what inaugural lectures are.
I took copious notes on your initial slides in terms of those that are research focused uh the narrative reflections inspirational because more often than not once we leave here people ask behind the scene was this really an inaugural lecture why was it not research focus where are the publications because sometimes it's also important to also showcase impact so I'm very happy that you have opened our eyes into the various dimensions of inaugural lectures Then with the permission of the college of professors, I will be co-opting you into the committee to to help put a lot of structures into our neighbor lectures moving forward. On this note, I want to thank you once again for your attention and for coming. Thank you very much.
We shall take the closing prayer to be said by Reverend Dr. Patrickwampa. He is with the chaplency committee. Let's all rise and take the closing prayer.
Shall we pray?
God Almighty, we thank you for an insightful inaugural lecture as we about to bring this program to an end. We thank you for your presence. We thank you for the university authorities, all the dignitaries, functionaries, nanom and all stakeholders that graze the occasion. We thank you for our professor's achievements. We commit our departure into your hands and we ask that may you continue to bless the entire university and everyone here present. We thank you for an answered prayer. This we pray in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Let's kindly remain standing.
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