Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey was born on August 9, 1932, and passed away on November 2, 2017.
He was a Ghanaian mathematical physicist. He shared the distinction of becoming the first Ghanaian to be awarded a doctorate in mathematical sciences with Daniel Afedzi Akyeampong in 1966.
Allotey was noted for his groundbreaking work in soft X-ray spectroscopy and the Allotey Formalism.
Early life and Education
Allotey was born on August 9, 1932, in Saltpond, a Fante town in the Central Region of Ghana, to Joseph Kofi Allotey, a general goods merchant, and Alice Esi Nyena Allotey, a dressmaker.
His father owned a bookstore. Allotey studied the biographies of famous scientists during his childhood in his father’s bookstore, which sparked his interest in science.
He was brought up as a Roman Catholic. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic (Boys) School in Saltpond for his elementary education, and he was a member of the first class to enroll at Ghana National College after Kwame Nkrumah established the institution in July 1948.
After finishing secondary school, he studied at the London Borough Polytechnic and the University Tutorial College in Ghana.
He also had a diploma from Imperial College, which he had received in 1960, as well as masters and doctoral degrees from Princeton University, all of which he received in 1966.
Read Also: The Biography of Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Early life and education, age, career & personal life
Career
He was widely recognized for his “Allotey Formalism,” which was inspired by his work on soft X-ray spectroscopy.
For his efforts in this field, he received the UK Prince Philip Golden Award in 1973.
He was a founding fellow of the African Academy of Sciences when, in 1974, he was appointed the first Ghanaian full professor of mathematics, head of the department of mathematics, and then dean of the faculty of science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Prior to becoming the university’s provost, he served as the center’s first director.
Allotey served as the President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been a member of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics Scientific Council since 1996, among other international scientific organizations.
Furthermore, he founded the African Physical Society and served as its founding president. He was also the president of the Ghana Institute of Physics.
Ghana became one of the first few African nations to join the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics thanks in large part to him.
Over his career, Allotey was awarded numerous honors and awards. He was the first African to be elected to the Royal Society of London in 1973.
Allotey was actively involved in education and development in Ghana, in addition to his scientific activities.
Personal Life
Allotey first wed Edoris Enid Chandler of Barbados, whom he had met while they were both studying in London. Francis Kojo Enu and Joseph Kobina Nyansa Allotey were their two children. Chandler passed away in November 1981.
He later wed Ruby Asie Mirekuwa Akuamoah. Her two kids, Cilinnie and Kay, were raised by them both. Akuamoah passed away in October 2011. In total, Allotey had 20 grandchildren and four children.
Allotey died on November 2, 2017, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking scientific discovery as well as a commitment to African education and development.
References:
- Wikipedia: Francis Allotey
- Ghanaweb: Francis Kofi Ampenyi Allotey
- UEW, Hall of Fame: PROFILE OF PROF. F. K. AMPENYIN ALLOTEY
- Graphic Online: Professor Allotey: The great mathematician and scientist
- Imperial College London: Francis Kofi Allotey
