Ghanaian inventor, Dr. Alexander Anim-Mensah honoured at Black History & Lifestyle Awards
Alexander Anim-Mensah (Ph.D.), a Ghanaian chemical engineer, educationalist, inventor, author, and innovation specialist based in the United States (U.S.) was awarded at the Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA) held on February 5 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
He earned the BHLA recognition in the category of Academics for his industrial professionalism in the field of education, science and technology, and was represented in absentia by a staff of TheAfricanDream.net. He won the award ahead of the Nigerian prolific writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and Tanzanian-born British novelist, academic and 2021 Nobel Prize laureate, Abdulrazak Gurnah.
Other Ghanaians nominated in different categories included David Adjaye under Arts & Culture, Sarkodie (Michael Owusu Addo) under Entertainment, Patrick Quarcoo under Media & Communications, and Kofi Awoonor under Posthumous.
“I feel elated about the received recognition and award. It goes a long way to affirm that anything one does, however little but diligently that put smiles on faces, impact lives positively and/or is exemplary will see daylight. Also, it goes to show how far one has come. We should all keep doing the things we do best but aligned to solving some of pressing global needs and will be awarded the accorded recognition,” said Dr. Anim-Mensah in an after event statement to TheAfricanDream.net.
A deserved recognition
Dr. Anim-Mensah’s recognition reflects the extent of his contribution across diverse academic fields in Africa and in the diaspora. He is result-driven with a track record of delivering sustainable technical, business and management results through award-winning performances.
Among his numerous specializations is Technology, Operation, and Value Chain Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management – Cambridge, Massachusetts; Business Strategy from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville Virginia; and Intellectual Property Law and Policy education from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
“Moreover, this goes to those who saw through my capabilities and provided me the opportunity and support to keep me doing more. No one can celebrate our achievements better than we can, and the organisers have done exceeding well, portraying this. I really appreciate,” he said to TheAfricanDream.net.
Over thirty patents
He is a student mentor and coach, and sits on the Boards of universities. He has also published numerous academic and technical papers, and has been involved in scientific breakthroughs. Dr. Anim-Mensah has over thirty patents relating to machines, devices and efficient use of energy, water, chemicals, energy management, cleaning, refrigeration & heat pumps, optimization, process improvements, performance monitoring, waste minimization, and environmental impacts reduction.
He’s mostly known for his contributions towards the field of membrane science and technology.
He became an inductee of the Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Patent Society as a Fellow in 2017, and a Distinguished Fellow of the same society in May 2019, for his involvement in inventions generating exceptional levels of commercial and technical successes.
Dr. Anim-Mensah was also recognized for his contributions to the invention relating to “Flow through Chemical Sensor” used for both qualitative and quantitative chemical sensing and monitoring i.e. for detecting the presence and absence of different chemicals as well as for the different chemical concentrations used on some commercially available products. This invention led to several patents in the USA and key parts of the world including the European Union, Canada, China, and Mexico.
He has a Ph.D., an MS and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati – Ohio, North Carolina A&T State University – North Carolina, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Ghana, respectively.
He is the President of i2iMegaHub, an NGO assisting Africans especially the youth to take their ideas to make global impacts.
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Honouring black accomplishments
The BHLA ceremony honours Black accomplishments home and abroad while also recognizing their contributions to bridging the gap between African arts, rich cultural heritage triumphs and adversities, and raising awareness for black pasts and present accomplishment as well as black-owned businesses, in Africa and the Diaspora.
The organisers selected February for the event to commemorate Black History Month celebrated annually in the United States of America, Canada and other parts of the world. They described the Black History Month as a means to “celebrating our root and black excellence. Hence the Black History and Lifestyle Award ceremony honors and commemorates the struggles, sacrifices, and extraordinary acts of service made by Africans throughout history and current.”
It recognizes awardees under fourteen different categories in the field of Academics, Change, Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Information Technology, Leadership, Media & Communications, Politics, Posthumous, Philanthropy, Science & Technology, and Sports.
“Though there are many distinct kinds of triumphs that merit recognition, regardless of the degree of success, all admirable feats and successes share a great deal of tenacity, grit, and dedication…. The ultimate goal is to increase the effective and beneficial use of knowledge and to create goodwill among people, nations, and governments,” said the organisers.
The award was hosted by Nollywood actress Nancy Isime and revered Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun, known professionally as AY. The event hosted top personalities, fashionistas, socialites, entrepreneurs, diplomats, Government executives, and African and Diasporan icons on its Red Carpet.
Talented young people from House of SOTA, Tee Apparel, and many other brands showcased their clothes and accessory designs during the Fashion Runway Show. Additionally, a Trade Exhibition Fair was held with the goal of promoting Afrocentric brands internationally by bringing together business owners and customers.
Folashade Balogun, the event’s founder, stated that her objective is to use the BHLA platform to give honorary acknowledgment to past and present people who have had a positive impact on the globe via their activism, skills, innovations, and accomplishments.
Source: Written by Arakunrin Lekan for TheAfricanDream.net
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Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
