Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey was a Ghanaian mathematical physicist who rose to become the first Ghanaian to obtain a doctorate in mathematical sciences in 1966.
Known for the “Allotey Formalism”, which won him the Prince Philip Gold Prize discovery in 1973, Prof Allotey is also recognised as the first to introduce Computer education in Ghana.
His groundbreaking technique, the “Allotey Formalism” is a technique used to determine matter moves in outer space.
Born in Saltpond in August 1932, Prof Allotey had his academic qualifications from Ghana National College, University Tutorial College, London Borough Polytechnic and London Imperial College of Science and Technology.
In 1974, he became a founding fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, and later emerged the first Ghanaian full Professor of Mathematics and Head of the Department of Mathematics and later Dean of the Faculty of Science at the KNUST.
Prof. Allotey was the President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of a number of international scientific organizations including the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics Scientific Council since 1996.
He also consulted for many international organizations including the United Nations Organization, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations Industrial and Development Organization.
Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey was indeed a stellar leader and mathematical physicist who made Ghana proud.
He passed away in November 2017. May his soul have eternal rest.
