“Your absence will be noticed because your place will be empty”
1 Samuel 20:18

“He was my friend, faithful and just to me”.
Shakespeare: JULIUS CAESAR

It really felt strange to us in the department when the news broke that Professor Ebenezer Laing had passed on … it was disbelief … shock … and we were short of words …. For a moment it seemed we had forgotten the words of the good book which says “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses, He sets the time for birth and a time for death, the time for planting and a time for pulling up” Eccles. 3:1-2.

Prof. Laing was engaged as one of the very few first Ghanaian lecturers in the Department of Botany in February 1958. In the Department and University community he applied himself diligently, in all spheres of life, in pursuit of academic, administrative and social interests.

His academic interests focused on Genetics, Conservation of Biological Resources, Science policy, Science education, and Citizen Science. He pursued his academic interests with diligence, honesty, integrity, humility and fairness. No doubt he was promoted Professor in 1978 and in 1991 the University of Ghana conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his academic achievements and contribution to the growth and development of the university. Prof. Laing contributed tremendously to the administration of the Department and University. He was Head of Department for over 9 years and was Dean, Faculty of Science, from October 1975 to September 1978, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor from January 1976 to November 1978. His social life in the university is common knowledge to all and sundry. His humility, fairness and kindness can be attested to by all who came across Prof. Laing whether in the lecture room, senior common room or playing field.

Prof. Laing was a man of many parts. We in the Department can boldly attest to the following virtues and lessons that he has bequeathed to us.
Forthrightness and candidness: telling things exactly the way they are without fear or favour. He would say if you would like to be a scientist then learn to ‘call a spade a spade’. Yet he also stressed the need for diplomacy.
Fortitude, resilience, hard work, zeal and patience: sticking tenaciously to principles without giving-up in pursuit of the truth.
Honesty, integrity and fairness: In 1984, for example, he decided he would not be the Head of Department again and allowed a junior colleague to become the Head and for this person to learn how to govern the Department.
A great mentor of highest quality and calibre: As exemplified by his readiness and willingness to pass on his knowledge, skills and talents freely to others. He had time for others including children.
Humility and kindness: As exemplified by his readiness and willingness to submit his draft examination questions to be moderated by junior colleagues despite his immense brilliance and intelligence that we are all aware of. He would often invite students for drinks after lectures.
Patriotic (A superb academic patriot): it is said that during the Great Economic Depression (downturn) in Ghana between the mid-1970s and early 1980s when most of the lecturers in University of Ghana left for greener pastures elsewhere particularly Nigeria, he (our mentor) requested that all the books in (a) Plant Anatomy and (b) Plant Ecology be brought to him. Subsequently, taught Plant Anatomy and Plant Ecology as well as his own speciality of Genetics, and supervised students in these courses at the MPhil and PhD levels.

Great Mentor!

Our “AYATOLA” BOTANICA as some of your junior colleagues used to call you.

We your junior colleagues adored you; and still do! Your ‘pep’ talks still echo in our ears.

Fare thee well Sir!