The Multi-purpose Auditorium, which sits directly opposite the Central Administration building on the Dungu Campus of the University for Development Studies, was the venue for the much talked about inaugural lecture. There had been nine other inaugural lectures before this one but this inaugural lecture had the promise of making history.

For the first time since its establishment almost exactly 30 years ago, an alumnus of the University for Development Studies was about to deliver an inaugural lecture at the University. And that wasn’t all. The inaugural lecture was about to be delivered by the youngest person to ever mount that stage at that high level at the premier University in Northern Ghana.

When the University for Development Studies was established in 1992, its current Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Felix Kofi Abagale was just about 14 years old, roaming the streets of Navrongo and striving to cut his teeth in the academic world at Balobia Basic School and then later at the Ghana Secondary School (Ghanasco) in Tamale. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Technology in 2003 from the UDS, Tamale.

Prof Abagale graduated with a Master of Science (MSc) in Agro-Environmental Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Soil Water Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in 2008 and 2014 respectively.

That boy, now a man in his mid-40s, had risen speedily but steadily through the academic ranks to become the Director of the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture and now, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS).

The date for his Inaugural Lecture, 25th February, 2022 eventually arrived and so did the auspicious occasion for the University to acknowledge the promotion of a “full professor” - Professor Felix Kofi Abagale, and to introduce him to the academic and non-academic community of the University, and to provide opportunity for engagement with the greater community.

Just when the sun had begun to cool down as it began to settle down on its journey from the East to the West, the Multi-purpose auditorium had also begun to receive patrons, high ranking government officials, family and friends amongst other dignitaries, some of whom had traveled several kilometers to come and support their brother and son as he prepared to mount the stage to prove how at such a relatively young age, he had been able to achieve such huge success stories in the academia.

The man who was inducted into the Ghana Institution of Engineers as a Corporate Member and licensed to practice Engineering in his specialty chose the topic: "Damming the Reservoirs for Sustainable Livelihoods: Challenges and Emerging Opportunities in the Global South".

When he took to the stage, even before he could start speaking, any passerby, could have mistaken the applause that greeted him as that which was for a celebrity musician who had just finished a never-to-forget performance. But this was an academic gathering and the applause was for a new professor – one produced by the very grounds on which he stood to deliver the lecture. In attendance were the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye, the Registrar, Mr Nurudeen Issah Abubakar and other Senior and Junior members of the University community.

When the applause faded, Ing Prof Kofi Abagale enumerated with data, the challenges in damming the rivers for sustainable livelihoods in the “global South” and proceeded to outline some of the emerging opportunities therein. “Despite the efforts of various individuals, communities, local and central government systems, the irrigation sub-sector of the Global South is still bedeviled with myriad of challenges but there exist opportunities to support its growth and expansion”, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye who chaired the event said it was Professor Abagale’s patience and dedication to duty, which had defined his academic journey and made it such a huge success for him at such a relatively young age. The Vice-Chancellor, urged young people, especially those at the UDS to emulate Professor Abagale.

After what appeared to be about 2 hours, the lecture came to an end, but the conversations it had generated, like a wild fire in the dry harmattan lands, still rages on.