Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS) at the University of Ghana, Professor Daniel Nukpezah, has called for stronger connections between students and alumni to promote collaboration and develop solutions to Ghana’s environmental and sustainability challenges.
He made the call during the launch of the IESS Students and Alumni Associations at the University of Ghana International House, which brought together university authorities, academics, students, alumni and other stakeholders in the environmental and sanitation sector.
Speaking at the event held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Prof. Nukpezah emphasised the importance of building a strong community within the Institute, describing it as more than just an academic institution.
“Today we are inaugurating two associations, the IESS Student Association and the IESS Alumni Association. Why? Because an institute is not just lecturers and courses, an institute is a family and strong families stay connected across generations to our students.”
He further charged the associations to use their collective strength to influence policy, amplify environmental concerns and contribute to solving national challenges.
“This association must become a think tank that advises governance, that amplifies the concerns of citizens on environmental and sustainability issues, that influences policy and that solves Ghana’s most pressing environmental and sustainability challenges,” he stated.
Prof. Nukpezah also highlighted the role of the associations in creating opportunities for networking, policy advocacy and giving back to the Institute and society.
“An alumni association that is important for networking, voice for policy and practise and one that gives back to its alma mater and to society and one that has built a potent force for future environmental and sustainability practitioners and professionals,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the launch and Member of Parliament for Manso Adubia, Yaw Frimpong Addo, stressed the importance of academic research in developing effective national policies.
He noted that while Parliament is responsible for making laws, legislation without scientific evidence could fail to adequately address the challenges it seeks to solve.
“For us in Parliament, our responsibility is to make laws, but good legislation without sound scientific knowledge can only amount to good intention. We therefore need academia to provide the research, evidence and innovations required to inform effective public policy. This is where the IESS has played an invaluable role over the years.”
Mr. Addo also encouraged students of IESS to look beyond conventional employment and position themselves as innovators and problem solvers.
“Ghana needs you, not merely as job seekers, but as problem solvers, innovators, researchers and leaders capable of developing practical solutions to the environmental and climate challenges confronting our nation,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Founding Director of IESS, Professor Christopher Gordon, highlighted the Institute’s commitment to research approaches that directly respond to the needs of communities.
“I think we have given quite a good account of ourselves. We have this impact pathway, I’m not going to spend too much time showing you, but basically it’s all about how we do co-development, co-design, how we use transdisciplinary research to address the needs of the people, and so forth,” he explained.
The launch concluded with a fundraising drive led by a PhD Candidate at IESS, Mrs. Gifty Jiaggae, with the Chairman pledging financial support towards the Institute’s activities.
The establishment of the two associations is expected to strengthen student-alumni networks, promote professional development and encourage collective action towards addressing Ghana’s environmental and sustainability challenges.
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Story by Jemima Grant | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
