In the true spirit of citizenship, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo is encouraging all to work together to build a society that is fair, equitable and empathetic for all. At the maiden Kwame Gyekye Lectures in Accra President Akufo-Addo said ‘as Ghanaians we must rededicate ourselves to the ideals of active citizenship and civic responsibility and strive to build an inclusive society where every individual is empowered to take part in the political process where diversity is celebrated.
The man Kwame Gyekye, was a professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Ghana. Prof. Emeritus Kwame Gyekye was a significant figure in modern African philosophy, known for his work in Akan philosophy.
His entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and African political philosophy, is titled “African Ethics”.
He authored the book ”Tradition and Modernity: Philosophical Reflections on the African Experience” and An Essay on African Philosophical Thought: The Akan Conceptual Scheme. Professor Gyekye is a son of Achiase in the Eastern Region. He attended the University of Ghana for his undergraduate studies and furthered his education at Harvard University, earning his PhD.
He began teaching at the University of Ghana in 1969 and held various administrative positions throughout his career, retiring in 2009. In 2018 he was recognized for his efforts in elevating the global status of African philosophy with an Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah Genius Award.
Five years ago Professor Gyekye passed on. He was a wide-ranging philosopher, whose work on Akan philosophy has been particularly valuable. The Memorial Lecture has been instituted to celebrate the life of and reflect on the intellectual legacy of Emeritus Prof. Kwame Gyekye, one of the foremost African philosophers.
It was christened “The Forgetfulness of Citizenship”, an idea espoused by Prof. Gyekye. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said Prof Gyakye, bridged the gap between Western and African philosophy; and whose pace needs to be followed.
A Justice of the Supreme Court His Lordship Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, said Prof. Gyekye’s advocacy against individualism and communitarism is still relevant in modern society.
The Guest Speaker Prof. Martin Odei Ajei, a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences intimated the need for Ghanaians to be awakened to their responsibilities as citizens.
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo, called for the rededication of Ghanaians to the ideals of citizenship.
Prof. Emeritus Kwame Gyekye, is a described as an important figure in the development of modern African philosophy. He taught for over four decades at the University of Ghana.
