The University of Ghana Alumni Association (UGAA), in partnership with the University of Ghana, has unveiled the Alex A. Dadey Centre at the university’s Legon campus in honour of the late Dr Alexander Apau Dadey Snr., a distinguished scholar, educational administrator and advocate for public service.
The unveiling ceremony, held on October 23, 2026, celebrated Dr Dadey Snr.’s contributions to education, mentorship, policy advocacy and national development.
The event was officiated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, alongside university management, UGAA leadership, Mr Alex Apau Dadey, son of the late educationist, and other dignitaries from academia and corporate Ghana.
In her remarks, Prof Amfo highlighted Dr Dadey Snr.’s longstanding relationship with the university, where he studied before serving on the University Council from 1978 to 1985.
She described his service on the Council as a significant part of his legacy at the institution.
As a student, Dr Dadey Snr. benefited from the mentorship of the distinguished Prof Alexander Kwapong, an experience that formed part of his educational journey.
Beyond the university, Dr Dadey Snr. served as National Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for five years and President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) for six years.
He also served as headmaster of Achimota Senior High School and Okuapeman Senior High School, contributing to educational administration and leadership in Ghana.
Paying tribute to his father, Mr Alex Apau Dadey, Founder and Executive Chairman of the KGL Group of Companies, described him as a man of exceptional discipline, integrity, credibility, humility and intellectual curiosity who was deeply committed to public service.
He said his father viewed education not merely as a route to personal success but as a tool for transforming individuals, society and national development across Ghana and Africa.
Mr Dadey Jnr. explained that his father’s guidance taught him that success should not be measured solely by the wealth accumulated, but also by the lives transformed and the institutions strengthened for the benefit of society.
He said Dr Dadey Snr. instilled in his children and mentees the belief that a good name was more valuable than material possessions and that a person’s greatest legacy was what remained after their lifetime.
Reflecting on the family’s philosophy of wealth creation and distribution, Mr Dadey said giving back to society was a moral responsibility.
“As a family, we believe in a moral responsibility to give back to society and the institutions that nurtured us, shaped our character, and provided the foundations for our success,” he said.
He explained that this conviction informed the establishment of the KGL Foundation, which seeks to translate the rewards of enterprise into lasting social and economic impact.
The family’s philosophy, he said, rests on the principle that “wealth creation and wealth distribution are two sides of the same coin.”
He added that private wealth should be accompanied by investment in the communities and institutions that make business success possible.
According to him, a truly successful business must create value for shareholders, opportunities for employees and lasting prosperity for the communities in which it operates.
As part of its commitment to education and national development, the KGL Foundation is scheduled to commission several legacy projects between October and November 2026.
The planned projects include a fully equipped, 250-capacity technology centre at Aburi Girls’ Senior High School and a multimillion-dollar sports complex for Mfantsipim Senior High School in Cape Coast.
The Foundation is also partnering with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to construct a modern diagnostic centre at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital.
In collaboration with the Eve Medical Foundation, it has established the multimillion-dollar KGL Eve Medical Centre at the KNUST Medical Village in Kumasi.
The facility provides services in women’s wellness, mental health and general medical care.
Beyond healthcare and education infrastructure, the KGL Foundation has supported Ghana’s national football teams, juvenile football and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
It has also provided scholarships to thousands of students through its various initiatives.
To ensure the long-term sustainability and proper maintenance of the Alex A. Dadey Centre, the KGL Foundation will assume full responsibility for funding the facility for the next 20 years.
The commitment is intended to support the centre’s continued operation and preserve its role in honouring Dr Dadey Snr.’s contributions to education and public service.
The opening of the centre serves as a tribute to an educationist whose career spanned teaching, school leadership, professional representation and university governance, while reflecting the Dadey family’s stated commitment to reinvesting in institutions and communities that contribute to national development.
