Following the raging debate about who founded the University of Ghana, it has emerged that it actually took a village to set up the University with contributions ranging from Chiefs, the Gold Coast intellectuals, and cocoa farmers.
According to a historian and researcher at the University of Ghana, Kweku Darko Ankrah, some people including Sir Arku Korsah, Nene Azu Mate–Kole, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh, and J.B Danquah, pushed the colonial government and worked to establish the university.
Mr. Darko Ankrah made the revelation in a Citi News interview on the back of claims by President Nana Akufo-Addo that his grand-uncle, Dr. J.B Danquah founded the premier University.
The president’s comment has sparked varied commentary, particularly on social media, with many Ghanaians challenging his version of the story.
Speaking to Citi News’ Kojo Akoto Boateng, Mr. Ankrah said even though J.B Danquah played a role in the establishment of the university, it must be noted that the University is the product of a collective effort of several other people.
He insisted that it was built with a “collective effort of the Gold Coasters” and monies generated from cocoa farmers.
“The Gold Coast intelligentsia, the Gold Coast elites as well as the farmers, the ordinary people, it is their money that established University of Ghana especially the cocoa farmers. And they need to be congratulated. But when we talk about individual efforts, first and foremost we need to put historical chronology and see who the primus inter pares in all this debate is.”
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By: citinewsroom.com/Ghana