66TH INDEPENDENCE DAY PUBLIC LECTURE HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

Source: Samuel K. Owusu

It was 4:25 pm Thursday evening, the 2nd day of March 2023, when the dignitaries arrived at the Cedi Conference Center for the University of Ghana 75th Anniversary Public Lecture, dubbed, "Our Ghana-Reflections on Integrity and Resilience". The theme was in agreement with the University's motto, 'Integri Procedamus' transliterated, Proceed with Integrity. The lecture was organised to initiate a national conversation on how Ghanaians can live a life of integrity. The dignitaries were welcomed through drumming and dancing by the Ghana Dance Ensemble. 

The MC for the occasion, Mrs Pascaline Kuunzungla Songsore (Senior Assistant Registrar, Documentation and Information Unit, Public Affairs Directorate) proceeded to welcome the invited guests, students, and the media to the Cedi Conference CenterMrs Pascaline Kuunzungla Songsore

The moderator for the day, Mrs Dzifa Bampoe, a corporate communications manager at GRIDCo, called on the host, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (Vice Chancellor) to deliver the opening remarks and the purpose of the occasion.

Mrs Dzifa Bampoe

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (Vice Chancellor)

Her Ladyship, Justice Sophia A.B Akuffo (Rtd), the Chairperson for the event and the Chairperson of the University of Ghana Council, gave her address and introduced the Keynote Speaker thereafter

Her Ladyship, Justice Sophia A.B Akuffo (Rtd)

 

In attendance were notable personalities and institutions such as, Prof Akilagpa Sawyerr,  (former VC, UG-Legon, from 1985 to 1992), Prof Gordon A. Awandare (PRO-VC, ASA), Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah (Registrar), Mrs Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah (Director, Public Affairs Directorate) Prof Justice N. Bawole (Dean, UGBS), Deans and Provosts, Mr Francis Kwabena Boachie (Chief CITO, UGCS), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Executive Director, EOCO), Australian High Commission, Ghana Commission for UNESCO, Samson Lardi Ayinene, Jackie Appiah, Representative from the Ministry of Education, etc

As the Keynote Speaker, Mr Manasseh Azure Awuni acknowledged that the platform given to him was by far the biggest of all in his career. He started his speech by saying, "I am not an academic, nor have tools but, I have a tool for catching thieves in society." He then talked about the four freedoms he enjoys. "I have the academic freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and most importantly, the freedom of being relatively young". The above freedoms come with responsibilities. Manasseh has said

President Akuffo Addo has not committed a quarter of John Mahama's sins but rather he has quadrupled it. Manasseh claims. After independence, Dr Kwame Nkrumah stated, Africans will demonstrate to the world that "Blackman is capable to manage his own affairs". But, centuries have passed and Blackman is finding it difficult to manage his own affairs

According to Manasseh, though the military intervention came with its positivity, the truth of the matter is it came to destroy everything. Integrity is necessary for the country's success. In his interpretation of Hosea 4:6, which goes, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...". Manasseh stated that, Ghana's problem is not lack of knowledge but rather, a lack of integrity. This is because we have men and women that can turn the economy around but because of the integrity problem, we are unable to rescue the economy

"Without integrity, we cannot defeat corruption. without integrity, the planting of food and jobs cannot progress. without integrity, the National Cathedral cannot be materialised. How is it that, Africans have the best lands but continue to depend on Ukraine to feed us even when they were at the war front". Manasseh stated. Aikins Watson Commission of 1948 predicted self-government...

In 1979, the late Rt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings put his life on the line to fight corruption. He did this by executing corrupt officials in the system, flogging market women for hoarding goods, confiscation of people's properties, etc. In his book, "Working with Rawlings", Mr Kwamena Awhoi, said, Rawlings was overpowered by corruption

Manasseh emphasised much on how the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew transformed his country into a modern one. For Lee, we must allow the system to work for the country to see progress. He once said, "the foundation of our country is the rule of law." Lee Kuan Yew, always referred to his writings as an honest government. Manasseh prayed that Ghana follows the steps of Singapore.

Manasseh talked about the Afro Barometer report released in July 2022. 

Every person one way or another is part of the corrupt activities in the country and as such pointing hands at the government, parliamentarians only must be looked at it again. Apart from those on the list, journalism, the fourth estate is one of the corrupt institutions in the country. Ghanaians will prefer Togolese artisans because Ghanaian artisans are corrupt. Parents buy examination questions for their wards. Those crying and complaining about corruption do not have the opportunity to access corruption. 

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN DEALING WITH CORRUPTION

a)  Dealing with the pressure of conformity: The case between Richard Adongo, a KNUST student and his lecturer is one example of the subject of thought. The boy was victimised by the lecturer, forcing him to buy a book but the boy did not conform. The lecturer told him that, "law is not for the poor".

b. The role of the government: The 1992 Constitution gives the government to crack the whip. All power is vested in the president and as such must use that power to make citizens work harder or behave in a disciplined way. "Atta Mills was too weak to fight corruption. The legislature cannot be overlooked in terms of corruption. Among the three arms of government, the judiciary still remains our only hope. If we lose it, then everyone must arm up a gun and defend him or herself. Lee Kuan Yew was critical of the independent judiciary. Manasseh declared

To Manasseh, the Supreme Court failed to protect the Auditor General. The delay in some cases is another headache. Though Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposed the judiciary in his number 12 expose, We still have some upright judges. Some are honest but are not courageous. Some work to catch the eye of the government for elevation. Her Ladyship, Justice Sophia A.B Akuffo (Rtd), has recently said that her mouth was gutted when she was in office

c). The role of education: The role of education is inevitable in producing new generations that enable us in solving the real problems in our society. The school can play a role in supporting youth's development toward a positive sense of identity. Community service is another area of the curriculum that can help in cultivating and instilling a sense of national identity

d). The role of the church:  As Christians, we have the mandate to build the kingdom of God on earth by developing this nation we call home, contributing to the moral growth of our society, imbuing it with the godly virtues of charity and compassion, and promoting the Gospel values of respect for life, integrity, justice, egalitarianism, equality and harmony, all of it are enshrined in our pledge. The church should not be the only voice about homosexuality. The corrupt acts in our society are more dangerous than homosexuality. This is the time for us to deeply reflect on our role as Christians to advance the work of nation-building. "We dream of nation-building. We cannot achieve this by fomenting social divisions." ~ Rajnath Singh.

e). The middle class: Middle-class individuals and groups played outstanding roles in opening spaces for democratic debate during Ghana's transition from authoritarianism. Comparing it to today, it seems the middle class is not interested in what they are capable of doing. They mingle with the authority when invited to the table of dinner. The youth should stop fighting one another and concentrate on fighting the system. We have talented youths but our greed will not allow us to harness the potential of the youth in contributing to national development. 

In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's famous quote,  "They will teach you that a white man called Mungo Park discovered River Niger, That's Rubbish! Our people fished in the Niger long before Mungo Park's grandfather was born." Africans all over the years have been discovered by someone. Our footballers are being discovered by foreigners. A 19-year-old foreigner who was doing his internship discovered Kudus Mohammed, etc. 

The unofficial anthem of Ghana, "Yen ara asaase ni," written and composed in 1929 by a native of Peki in the Volta Region, Ephraim Amu, and is popularly sung in Twi, teaches that Pride, Cheating, Selfishness, and Greediness have scarred our character and diminished our affection for our land. He proceeded to say that, Bragging about educational achievements, empty boasting, and vain talk is destroying our nation.

Dr Ephraim Amu preached that hard work and respect for one another are what we need. Selflessness and compassion for one another will bring peace and prosperity to our nation. Whether or not this nation prospers, Depends on the character of the citizens of the nation.

In his concluding statements, Manasseh implores the teachers, lecturers, etc to say, "Teach the youth that we are interconnected to each other, teach them that fair justice is key for a country's success, teach them that Gandhi, Nkrumah, Mandela etc are not remembered by their net-worth but, their service to humanity, Teach the youth that life is not a competition but a race and even that, each one has a starting point."

During questions and answers time, Manasseh admitted to the fact that even though there are economic hardships in the country, he is able to walk free and sleep well without any attack after criticising the government. This was in response to a question posed to him as to whether the military government is the antidote to the country's economic hardships

The lecture climaxed with a presentation of gifts to Manasseh Azure Awuni and Dzifa Bampoe. This was administered by Prof Akosua Adomako Ampofo, the Chairperson for the University of Ghana's 75th Anniversary and Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah, the Registrar, University of Ghana

REFERENCES:

Afro Barometer report on Corruption, 2022

Idris, F., Hassan, Z., Ya'acob, A., Gill, S. K., & Mohd Awal, N. A. (2019). The role of education in shaping youth's national identity. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(4), 424-435.

Luckham, R., Gyimah-Boadi, E., Ahadzie, W., & Boateng, N. (2000). The middle classes and their role in national development. Journal of International Development, 12(2), 203-222.

Published by: SAMUEL KWAME OWUSU (SKO)

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