Prof. Issaka Kanton Osumanu delivers first professional inaugural lecture at SDD-UBIDS

Written by Ophelius M. Yinyeh



Prof. Issaka Kanton Osumanu gave the first professorial inaugural lecture of the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies on September 15, 2023, in Hall 3 of the university's Bamahu campus.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Phillip Duku Osei, who also happened to be the first Vice Chancellor of the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, presided over the first inaugural lecture.

Prof. Issaka Kanton Osumanu gave his inaugural lecture on the topic, "Geography, Environment, and Sustainable Development: Exploring a Disciplinary and Conceptual Trinity for Human Wellbeing", after being elevated to full professor status in 2022. In the course of his involvement in the teaching of geography and environmental studies for more than two decades, Prof. Kanton discovered that the vast majority of students and researchers in the social sciences were completely ignorant of the philosophy of geography. For this reason, he made the decision to choose this academic and conceptual theme for the inaugural lecture. Students' deficiencies in the fundamentals and improper mental structuring during their instruction in research skills are the primary causes of the problem.



He indicated that the link between geography and environmental science is still largely in need of explanation. He added that Geographers share this responsibility with environmental scientists.



In a packed hall of astute academics and the university community, Prof. Kanton lectured the audience on Geography Research and Education for Sustainable Development, The Practice of Geography as an Environmental Science, Geography as the study of environmental quality and human well-being, Discourses of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development: A Contested Idea.



Prof. Issaka Kanton Osumanu caught the attention of the audience until he concluded by espousing that Geography’s power in contributing to sustainability research and education is in its integrally interdisciplinary nature.



However, it must be emphasized that geography is a discipline in its own right. “Geography research and education for sustainable development may come in many different forms, and different topics and methodologies may be appropriate to different international, national, and local contexts.



There is a wide range of strategies for promoting sustainable development, many of which are probably yet to be fully explored. What can be researched or taught (and how this should be done) is influenced not only by the experience of the researcher (teacher) or the educational level of the learner (from pre-school to tertiary) but also by cultural and political values that are different within and between nations and societies."

“Despite the particular research or teaching approach adopted, it is fair to say that geography research and education are basic to sustainability thinking in advancing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices that enable individuals and societies to make more positive decisions for the environment.”

Prof. Kanton recommends education (including the public) that provides hopeful alternatives rather than options that are laden with gloom. “Active and participatory learning and community-based approaches are some of the potential strategies that are proposed for achieving this objective. Renegotiating and co-designing the school curriculum in partnership with, for example, management of the educational system is called for."

“Geography education for sustainability is obviously necessary for the youth and subsequent generations who will have to live with the consequences of decisions and actions taken by the current generation. We surely also need to convince the current generation of political elites that action is urgent if we are to avoid dangerous environmental cataclysms.”

The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including the Registrar of the University for Development Studies, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, from the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies was the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Derbile Emmanuel Kanchebe; the Registrar, Mr. Job Asante and the Director of Finance, Mr. Abdulai Suglo.

The rest are the Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Prof. Kenneth Peprah, the Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Prof. George Ditsa, the Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Awudu Sare and the Chairman of the Organising Committee Prof. Maurice Dassah.

In attendance are the wife, Josephine Weveh-Nelson, and the children, Florence, Keziah, and Favour of Prof. Issaka Osmanu Kanton, to support him.