Dr. Thomas Mensah speaks at Adisadel College's 108 speech day

The famous fiber optics inventor and nanotechnology expert, Dr. Thomas Mensah was the guest speaker at his alma mater on Speech Day March 12, 2018, in Cape Coast.

In front of a large audience including over 1000 Adisadel students, parents, Adisadel Old Boys, his class of 1968 and the organizing class of 1993, Dr. Mensah, said Adisadel and Ghanaians have the ‘Can Do’ spirit to meet any challenge of today and in the future.

This ‘Can Do’ spirit exhibited by astronauts, and great achievers in many fields of endeavours in the world, is taught at Adisadel for graduates to excel in all major disciplines; including science, engineering, law, medicine, government, languages and liberal arts.

He cited his own life of being one of the four fiber optic inventors who created the platform that makes the modern global internet and cell phone transmission work as an example.

Dr Mensah added that just as leaders in technology like Bill Gates of Microsoft wanted a computer in every home, his vision is for every home to have access to the internet globally.

Over one billion people in the world have access to the internet enabled by some of Dr Mensah’s inventions including ultra-high strength optical fibers used in submarine cables. Over 90 % of Google and Facebook data including e-mails, pictures and YouTube videos are transmitted over the submarine cable.

Dr Mensah believes the ‘Can Do’ spirit from Adisadel, as stated in its motto, “Either the First or with the First, Vel Primus Velcum Primus”, must be used as the internal moral compass and determination to guide all future endeavours by graduates of Adisadel College.

Dr Mensah is the author of four books on innovation namely; Fiber Optics Engineering (1997), Superconductor Engineering (1992), His Autobiography –The Right Stuff Comes in Black Too (2013), and the International Text Book -Nanotechnology Commercialization. He is also a holder of 7 patents on Fiber Optics.

He felt the need to implore the Government of Ghana to develop high-speed trains linking southern Ghana to the north close to the border to bring industrialization, jobs and technological advancements to Ghana.

On the podium with Dr Mensah were Adisadel luminaries and leaders including Anglican Bishop Rt. Reverend Victor Reginald Atta- Baffoe, Chairman of the Board of Adisadel; Kojo Yankah, President of Adisadel Old Boys Association; William Kusi-Yeboah, Head Master and Kwamena Duncan, Central Regional Minster.

As part of the Speech day activities, where exceptional students received prizes in various subjects, there was a special program to commission the Matchbox- House, residence for Adisadel teachers where Dr. Mensah help cut the Ribbon and unveiled a special plaque with his name and the names of the class of 93 organizers of the Speech Day after a short prayer and dedication by Bishop Reginald Atta-Baffoe.

He joined his year group at a special reception the Friday before the Speech Day event to reminisce of old days almost 50 years ago.

Dr. Mensah wanted to see his dormitory, and a young student volunteered to lead him to the Knight House. He took a photo in front of the Knight House and proceeded to visit the College Dining Hall where as Entertainment prefect he gave announcements during meals. Before he left he took pictures with the students.

Dr Thomas Mensah has committed to develope a multimedia laboratory for Adisadel College equipped with new equipment including computers and virtual reality goggles for studies in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual and Augmented Reality.