KNUST confers doctorate on Dr. KK Sarpong

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has conferred an honorary Doctorate of Letters on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, GNPC, Dr. KK Sarpong for his contribution towards the award of full scholarships to students in the areas of Science and Mathematics at the university over the years.

He is also being recognized generally for the promotion of science, engineering, technology and mathematics education, particularly, for females in KNUST and Ghana at large.

This has included facilitation of establishment of professorial chairs, provision of grants and facilities, scholarships for students and faculty, and granting access to students to undertake internships in various organizations he has worked over the years.

The colorful event was held at the Great Hall of the KNUST.

The academic degree is a higher doctorate which, in some countries may be considered to be beyond the PhD and equal to the Doctor of Science.

It’s awarded in many countries by universities and learned bodies in recognition of achievement in humanities, original contribution to the creative arts or scholarship and other merits.

The Former Chief Executive Officer of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, is an astute business executive with thirty-four (34) years’ experience at senior management level in over eight (8) companies.

He has built his corporate leadership credentials over the period by serving on the Boards of twenty-one (21) different companies and organizations. Until 2016, Dr. Sarpong was the Chief Executive of The Global Haulage Group, and the Chairman of the Boards of both The Royal Bank Ltd and Imperial General Assurance Ltd.

He served as the Executive Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club Limited between 2010 and 2013, during which period he led the club to 2 Premier League titles, 2 Champion of Champions titles, and 2 FA Cup Runners-Up positions.

He established co-operation with Sunderland SC (UK), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Petro Luanda (Angola); secured 13 sponsorship agreements; and commenced infrastructure projects for the club.



As Deputy Managing Director and subsequently Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) between 2004 and 2009, Dr. Sarpong undertook critical infrastructure development, especially to ensure self-sufficiency in power generation internally and identified revenue-improving opportunities – tolling for fees, optimization of RFCC capacity utilization, and conversion of light cycle oil to gas oil.

Prior to taking up the job at TOR, Dr. Sarpong participated in the negotiation of the International Cocoa Agreement in 2001 as Head of Administration and Financial Services Division of the International Cocoa Organization (London, UK). Between 1993 and 1998.

Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong served as the Deputy Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board, during which he structured, negotiated and managed syndicated loans, supervised the domestic liberalization of cocoa trade, designed and introduced the LBC financing scheme for cocoa purchases, and conducted negotiations with the World Bank, IFC, BADEA, African Development Bank and the EU in managing projects pertaining to the restructuring of the Ghana Cocoa Board and rehabilitation of the cocoa sector of Ghana.

Dr. Sarpong also oversaw and implemented rationalization which reduced costs and ensured the company’s viability, introduced major changes to the systems of paying for cocoa purchased from farmers and successfully promoted a culture of enterprise amongst senior management, which prepared the company for market liberalization.



As Deputy Chief Accountant, Chief Accountant and subsequently General Manager of the Ghana Food Distribution Corporation between 1983 and 1990, Dr. Sarpong supervised the construction of silos for storing grains, introduced a bill-financing scheme for financing grains purchases from farmers and refocused the commercial direction of the Corporation to make it more market-oriented and financially sound.

He also worked at the Meat Marketing Board between 1979 and 1980 as an assistant Accountant. Dr. Sarpong is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Industrial & Business Studies from University of Warwick (UK).

He also holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Ministry from the Trinity Theological Seminary (Legon), Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) in International Finance & International Accounting from the University of Glasgow (Scotland), a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ghana, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Business Administration from the University of Ghana.

Dr. Sarpong attended Sekondi College (GCE Advanced Level) and SDA Secondary School, Bekwai Ashanti (School Certificate/GCE Ordinary Level).

He is a recipient of several academic scholarships and awards including World Bank scholar (1990-1991), Commonwealth Scholar (1987-1990), University of Glasgow Graduate Scholarship (1990) and the Amegashie Prize in Accounting (University of Ghana -1978).

Dr. Sarpong hails from Nsuta-Beposo in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.