17th August 2023 4:15:00 PM
3 mins readHistorian, Anokye Frimpong has voiced his reservations about renaming Ghana's premier university after Joseph Boakye (J.B) Danquah, one of the Big Six figures in the country's history.
0
Speaking to the media, Mr Frimpong contended that JB Danquah's legacy doesn't merit such an honor.
1
Mr Frimpong stated that there has been a distortion of JB Danquah's accomplishments in recent times, aiming to present him as more dominant than certain peers who also played a role in Ghana's journey to independence.
2
The University of Ghana, Legon, recently made headlines as President Akufo-Addo expressed interest in renaming the institution in honor of the late J.B. Danquah.
3
Akufo-Addo cited Danquah's unwavering dedication and pivotal role in inspiring the university's establishment as the basis for this proposal.
4
He announced this during the University's 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.
5
However, this move has faced criticism, with some asserting that the President is seeking to amplify the prominence of his predecessors in Ghana's historical narrative during his tenure.
6
The historian pointed out that J.B. Danquah's significant contributions were primarily focused on African studies, specifically his exploration of the Akan concept of God.
7
He noted that Danquah's Ph.D. thesis explored this topic, which later earned recognition and recommendation from Ghana's founder, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to the Institute of African Studies.
8
"In Ghana's history, J.B. Danquah has a place, but we must avoid overestimating his impact. He notably influenced African studies and was a pioneer in the Akan concept of God, as evidenced by his Ph.D. Kwame Nkrumah recognized his work and endorsed it to the international community.
9
However, he argued that JB Danquah didn't make significant strides in political leadership that would warrant certain honors, aside from the various recognitions he received.
10
“ In terms of academics studies is a colossus who must be respected. In terms of politics he never founded the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) as people speculate. The one who founded the party was from Nzema, a rich man known as George Alfred Grant A.K.A Paa Grant,” he added.
11
Contrary to popular belief, Frimpong debunked claims that J.B. Danquah was the leader of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
12
He attributed the founding of the UGCC to George Alfred Grant, also known as Paa Grant, a wealthy individual from Nzema.
13
Established in 1948 through an Ordinance, the premier institution in the country, the University of Ghana, was initially known as the University College of the Gold Coast.
14
Its fundamental objective was to facilitate and advance university education, as well as foster research and learning.
15
With a strong commitment to making significant contributions both nationally and globally, the University embarked on a Strategic Plan in 2014.
16
Encompassing the period from 2014 to 2024, this strategic initiative aims to reinforce the positive outcomes derived from evaluating the University's mission and practices.
17
The plan seeks to position these accomplishments within the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, spanning across Ghana and beyond.
18
19
20
2 mins read
1 min read
1 min read
1 min read
1 min read
1 min read
2 mins read
1 min read
2 mins read