University of Ghana’s Political Science Department lecturer, Prof Ransford Gyampo, recently spoke about the late former President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, at the Atta Mills 12th anniversary memorial lecture.
Prof Gyampo highlighted that Prof. Mills valued academic freedom and understood how academia operated, unlike some individuals in power.
According to Professor Gyampo, Prof. Mills did not interfere in the management of universities by introducing legislation to undermine academia’s powers or influence the appointment of vice-chancellors, unlike the current Akufo-Addo government.
He commended Prof. Mills for his stance on academic freedom and emphasized that the late President did not support any moves to curtail the power of academia.
In contrast, Prof Gyampo pointed out that the current government’s attempt to introduce a public university bill was seen as an effort to undermine academic freedom by trying to dismiss a vice-chancellor.
This move was criticized by academics who believed that academia’s power was being targeted through legislation. Prof. Mills, on the other hand, was never interested in influencing the appointment of vice-chancellors.
The lecture shed light on the importance of academic freedom and the need to protect it from any form of interference or manipulation. Prof Gyampo’s insights into Prof. Mills’ respect for academic freedom serve as a reminder of the values that should guide governance in the academic sector.
