Law Lecturer Warns Against Distorting Ghana’s History for Personal Gain

The University of Ghana School of Law’s Dean, Prof. Raymond Akongburo Atuguba, has raised concerns over the misrepresentation of Ghana’s independence history for personal agendas.

During a presentation at the Socialist Movement of Ghana’s Founders’ Day celebration, Prof. Atuguba criticized attempts by President Akufo-Addo and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to promote their family members’ roles in Ghana’s struggle for independence.

He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between private and public celebrations and cautioned against intertwining personal interests with national history.

Addressing the ongoing debate on Ghana’s founders, Prof. Atuguba reaffirmed Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as the undisputed founder, emphasizing the collective effort of various individuals and groups in the independence struggle.

He debunked the notion of a cohesive “Big Six,” citing internal conflicts among its members and their divergent roles compared to Dr. Nkrumah’s pivotal contribution.

Moreover, Prof. Atuguba emphasized the necessity of documenting historical truths to prevent distortion and advocated for indigenous knowledge production to counter Euro-American historical dominance.

He highlighted the need for a robust knowledge infrastructure to preserve Ghana’s historical narrative authentically.

The Dean’s insightful analysis underscores the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s history from manipulation for personal or familial interests, urging a collective commitment to preserving the nation’s true historical legacy.