Features
Mrs Alexandra Amoako-Mensah, discoverer of Lithium in Ghana
Mrs Amoako Mensah with CEO of Atlantic Lithium Keith Muller
In the heavily male-dominated geological industry in Ghana, one female stands out with a huge mark, creating an incredible path for others to emulate.
Geologist Mrs Alexandra Amoako-Mensah’s thesis in the 1970s led to the discovery of lithium in Ghana.
In her desperation to explore Ghana’s natural resource potential beyond the gold industry, an ambitious Amoako-Mensah engaged in a research-based thesis, supervised by Dr Oleg Von Knorring with the title, ‘Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Spodumene Pegmatites with Particular Reference to Spodumene Occurrences at Saltpond, Ghana.’ The thesis was published in 1971.
Spodumene pegmantites are generally known to be the main hard rock that houses the element lithium, which has realised a massive surge in demand for its use in electric vehicle batteries, globally considered to be essential in the transition to green energy era to combat climate change.
During her research which took place at Ewoyaa in the Central region, Mrs Amoako-Mensah had to surmount numerous physical and psychological challenges in order to complete the thesis.
“I went through a thick forest in search of spodumene-bearing pegmatites, relying solely on a hand-held compass and the unusual nature of my profession at the time attracted curious glances from colleagues and onlookers alike,” she said.
Little did she know that, her time-consuming and back-breaking research would be crucial in Ghana’s discovery of lithium which would essentially improve the socio-economic status of the country.
In 2016, following the discovery of lithium in West Africa, established geologist, Len Kolff in his search for pegmatite potential areas on the continent, came across Mrs Amoako-Mensah’s thesis.
The thesis, which focused on the region’s mineralogy, geochemistry and petrology, provided Kolff, now Head of Business Development and Chief Geologist at Atlantic Lithium, clear understanding on the potentials of Saltpond’s spodumene pegmatite which led to Ghana’s first official discovery of lithium in 2018.
Kolff said after the discovery, “Mrs. Amoako-Mensah’s thesis gave an in-depth insight into the mineralogy of pegmatites in the Saltpond area. This was critical to understanding the economic potential of the area’s lithium pegmatites, which proved to be a key part of the puzzle in the discovery of Ewoyaa.”
“Without Mrs. Amoako-Mensah’s thesis and the regional mapping that she completed, we may never have travelled to Ghana for the first time to follow up on it,” he added.
Fast forward, in October 2023, over five decades after Mrs Amoako-Mensah’s thesis, the government of Ghana granted Barari DV Ghana Limited (Atlantic Lithium’s Ghanaian subsidiary) a Mining Lease in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, putting the project firmly on track to become Ghana’s first lithium mine.
The project valued over US$5 billion is estimated to generate over 800 direct jobs for Ghanaians.
“I never envisaged that my work would contribute to Ewoyaa becoming a mining area and the focus of national discussions about lithium production. During my recent visit, I was amazed at the tremendous change that is underway at Ewoyaa and that, no doubt, will soon come from the commencement of lithium mining operations,” Mrs Amoako-Mensah mentioned during a recent visit by Atlantic Lithium to the Project site.
“I am excited because my project work has yielded fruit that will benefit Ghanaians. I am grateful to God that I am alive to experience lithium mining in Ghana,” she added.
She was a geologist at the former Geological Survey Department (now the Geological Survey Authority of Ghana) from 1966 to 1972, where she climbed the ranks to become the Head of the GSD’s laboratories at its headquarters in Accra and in Saltpond.
From 1972-1997, she worked at the former Industrial Research Institute (now Institute of Industrial Research of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; ‘CSIR’), where she rose to the position of Chief Research Officer.
During her time at the institute, she became Head of the Material Science Division, before serving as a Director from 1987 to 1997. She then served as Director at the CSIR Head Office from 1997 until her compulsory retirement in 2000.
She also served on the boards of many local and international companies and technical committees, including the United Nations (UN) Scientific and Technical Committee on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), the Minerals Commission and the Governing Council of GNPC Learning Foundation.
She was also the Secretary General of the Geological Society of Africa between 1988 and 1993 and President of the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists from 2006 until 2017.
She is the sixth of nine children, born in Takoradi to parents Samuel Sey Afful and Mary Amoasiwa Quaye Afful from Apam in the Central region.
She went to Wesley Girls’ High School, Cape Coast in 1960 where she was awarded a scholarship to read Geology at the St. Petersburg State University in Russia.
She returned to Ghana in 1966 and joined the Ghana Geological Survey where she met Prof. Shacketon, a visiting professor at the University of Ghana. Upon recognising her potential, Prof Shackleton offered her admission to Leeds University, UK to unable her advance in her academic research.
Supported by her late husband, Dr Alfred Kwadwo Archer Amoako-Mensah, she travelled to Leeds to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Geochemistry in 1971.
Currently, Mrs. Amoako-Mensah serves as the Board Chairperson of SAL Consult Limited, a multi-disciplinary water and environmental consultancy company, and remains a member of Women in Mining, Ghana.
Now 83 and a proud mother to her four sons, Alfred, Michael, Samuel and Joseph-Emmanuel, Mrs. Amoako-Mensah resides in Accra.
By Michael D. Abayateye
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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