The University of Ghana (UG) has commissioned the Alex A. Dadey Centre at its Legon campus in honour of Dr Alexander Apau Dadey Snr., a veteran educationist and administrator whose career spanned teaching, institutional leadership and public service.
The facility was commissioned on Friday, October 23, 2026, in a partnership between the University and the University of Ghana Alumni Association (UGAA).
To ensure its long-term sustainability, the KGL Foundation has committed to funding the centre for the next 20 years.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said Dr Dadey Snr. was a former student of the University who later served on its governing council from 1978 to 1985.
She described his service on the Council as a significant part of his contribution to the institution, noting that he had also benefited from the mentorship of distinguished academic Professor Alexander Kwapong during his time as a student.
Dr Dadey Snr. also held leadership positions in Ghana’s education sector, serving 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 served as headmaster of Achimota Senior High School and Okuapeman Senior High School.
At the ceremony, his son, Alex Apau Dadey, Founder and Executive Chairman of the KGL Group of Companies, described his father as a man of discipline, integrity, humility, intellectual curiosity and commitment to public service.
He said his father regarded education not merely as a route to personal success but as a tool for transforming individuals, society and national development.
Mr Dadey said his upbringing taught him that success should be measured not only by the wealth accumulated but also by the lives transformed and the institutions strengthened.
He also recalled his father’s emphasis on the enduring value of reputation and character, saying the greatest legacy is what remains after a person is gone.
Reflecting on the family’s approach to wealth creation and philanthropy, 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 said the establishment of the KGL Foundation was rooted in that conviction and in principles passed down by his father.
“Wealth creation and wealth distribution are two sides of the same coin,” he said, describing the philosophy the family believes should guide African entrepreneurs and business leaders.
He added that successful businesses should create value for shareholders and employees while contributing to the long-term prosperity of the communities in which they operate.
The commissioning forms part of the Dadey family’s broader philanthropic activities through the KGL Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, sports and other social development initiatives.
The Foundation is scheduled to commission several projects between October and November 2026, including a 250-capacity technology centre at Aburi Girls’ Senior High School and a sports complex for Mfantsipim Senior High School in Cape Coast.
It is also partnering with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to construct a diagnostic centre at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital.
In Kumasi, the Foundation has partnered with the Eve Medical Foundation to establish the KGL Eve Medical Centre at the KNUST Medical Village. The centre provides women’s wellness, mental health and general medical services.
Beyond infrastructure, the KGL Foundation has supported Ghana’s national football teams, juvenile football and the Ghana Football Association, while providing scholarships to thousands of students through its initiatives.
The Foundation’s 20-year funding commitment to the Alex A. Dadey Centre is intended to support the facility’s continued operation and maintenance, extending the family’s investment in education and the University of Ghana.