A tribute book titled IMPRESSIONS has been launched in honour of Professor (Mrs.) Ibok Nsa Oduro, the first female Provost of the College of Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in recognition of her decades of academic leadership and mentorship.
The publication brings together personal letters and reflections from more than 60 contributors, including colleagues, family members, students, mentees, religious leaders and academics from around the world. It highlights Prof. Oduro’s enduring influence as a scholar, mentor and leader whose work has impacted many lives.
At the launch, contributors described the publication as a tribute to a life marked by service, discipline and faith, with several sharing personal encounters that left lasting impressions.
A chairperson at the event, whose name was not disclosed, recounted her interaction with Prof. Oduro, describing it as deeply transformative.
“When I read the book, I realized that is exactly how I would have described her. I learned that you can give all of yourself and also gain from it,” she said.
Prof. Oduro, who has more than 28 years of experience in food processing, postharvest management, product development and sensory analysis, expressed gratitude to God and encouraged young women pursuing careers in science.
“My story is their story; therefore we must be each other’s keepers,” she said, adding that “science works on curiosity. It’s the mindset that has been the barrier to what science is like.”
The editor of the book, Mrs. Abigail Kwarteng, a wellness administrator at KNUST and a mentee of Prof. Oduro, described the publication as a personal project and a gesture of appreciation.
“This book, IMPRESSIONS, is my humble offering in honour of my mentor and mother… a woman whose life has been a testament to God’s grace and Christ’s love,” she said.
She noted that although the book captures only part of Prof. Oduro’s influence, it reflects the depth of her impact across academic and personal spaces.
Participants at the launch described the event as a celebration of mentorship, leadership and the enduring value of academic excellence and service.