Dr. Kodwo Ewusi

Professor Kodwo Ewusi was born on September 30, 1940, in Apam, Ghana, to the late Kobina Ewusi and Elizabeth Pratt. He was educated at Apam secondary school where he graduated on top of his class as the scholar of the year in 1957. Professor Ewusi was a part of the inaugural second batch of students who were the first to pass all their exams. Professor Ewusi did his 6th form studies at Prempeh College in Kumasi. He was selected to represent Prempeh College at Latin speaking competition for secondary school students held at the University of Ghana in 1959. Professor Ewusi passed the Cambridge school certificate examination with distinction in 1960. By determination and perseverance, he traveled through Liberia to the United States. He attended Columbia University in New York for his bachelors, master's, and doctorate degree in economics. Professor Ewusi distinguished himself as a student at Columbia University. Not only did he complete his bachelor's degree within a short period of two years, but he was also on the Dean’s honor roll throughout his undergraduate studies. He received the Howard Bain scholar award for outstanding academic performance in the school of General Studies in 1966. After getting his bachelors in 1967, he took only a year to complete his master's with coursework and thesis on economic development planning in Ghana. To continue his doctoral studies, professor, who received the prestigious Aggrey Memorial scholar award from the Phelps Stokes fund in 1971. Professor Ewusi served as an econometrician, banker and statistician in reputable organizations, including IBM, corporate headquarters and Aramark, and bankers trust company in New York, before joining the University of Ghana as a research fellow at the Institute of statistical social and economic research in 1969. He completed his doctorate in 1973. On the basis of his publications, he was promoted to senior research fellow in 1975 and then to associate professor in 1977. Professor Ewusi was appointed the Director of ISSER in 1983 and served in that role until 1989. During his 20-year tenure at the university of Ghana, professor was actively involved and served on several committees. In particular he served as member of the council of the University of Ghana from 1983 to 1989. During the same period, he was a member of the management committee of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for medical research. He also served on the finance investment and development committee of the university. Professor Ewusi was chairman of the university bookshop board from 1983 to 1989, as well as chairman of the management committee of the municipal’s organization from 1985 to 1989. He taught as a visiting professor at Howard University in Washington D.C. as well as North Carolina A&T college during a sabbatical from 1979-1981. Professor Ewusi served on the advisory committee for health research for WHO Africa regional office in Brazzaville, Congo from 1987 to 1989. He was a member of the panel of five judges for Rockefeller foundations grants for projects on reflections and development in Africa. Professor Ewusi was a founding member and the first president of the association of agricultural development planners in Africa from 1985 to 1987. He was a founding member of the West Africa economic Association and served as the editor of the West Africa economic journal from 1975 to 1979. In 1990 Professor Ewusi served as a member of distinguished, advisors and editors for IFAD’s project on world rural poverty. Professor Ewusi has offered consultancy services to several international organizations, including the world bank, ILO, FAO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNDP, CODESRIA, UNRISD, IFAD, IILS, IDEP, UNICEF, Rockefeller foundation and Ford foundation. From his consultancies and research, professor has published extensively on the economy of Ghana and social economic problems in Africa. He has published 17 books, 31 technical publications, 15 contributions to edited books, and 55 journal articles and conference papers. Apart from Scholastic awards at Apam secondary school and Columbia University in New York, Professor Ewusi has received numerous academic awards. He has twice (in 1986 and 1991) received the Raphael Amattoe prize for best author work in economics from the Ghana Association of writers. In 1984 he was selected an honorary fellow of the Ghana Institute of planners. He was elected a fellow of the Ghana Academy of arts and sciences in 1989. In 2009 he received a tribute from the Senate of the state of Delaware for his outstanding contributions to education. From September 1991 to August 1993, he served as a professor of economics at the Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware. From August 1993 to August 2009, he served as the chairman of the mathematics department at Delaware Technical Community College. During that time, he was also on faculty at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania as a visiting professor. From 2009 to 2011, he served as the head of the department of economics at Methodist University College of Ghana. He also served as the dean of postgraduate studies at Methodist University. From 2011 to 2013 he served as a vice chancellor at West End University College in Cana. He resided in Delaware till his passing 9/2024. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Felicia Ewusi; daughter, Dr. Aba Ewusi; sons, Mr. Kofi Ewusi and Kodwo Ewusi, ESQ; and grandsons: Noah, Matthew, William, Sky, Ocean, and Horizon. A viewing will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE, 19702. A service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 9 AM at Kingswood United Methodist Church, 300 Marrows Rd., Newark, DE, 19713. A burial will follow the service. For directions or to send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com.

Dr. Kodwo Ewusi

September 30, 1940 - September 17, 2024

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