It’s his reality and opinion – Randy Abbey wades into Dutch passport vs PhD debate

Dr. Randy Abbey, the host of "Good Morning Ghana," has provided a nuanced response to the debate regarding the value of being a Ghanaian PhD holder versus being a holder of a Dutch passport.

Mainstream and social media platforms have been awash with heated debates on the matter following a bizarre claim by a Dutch-based Ghanaian man, Kofi Gabs, that the Dutch passport is more valuable than a PhD in Ghana.

On his show, Dr. Abbey explained that Kofi Gabs' position on the matter is informed by his reality and therefore should not be condemned for it.

However, he would not advise anyone to entertain such an opinion, as he believes that being a PhD holder is more valuable than being a Dutch citizen.

"That is his opinion and reality. Whether you agree or not, the guy is speaking from his experience. I won't let my kids take anything meaningful from that. I'd rubbish it if it's ever raised by them, and I won't advise anybody to take that, but that's me. My reality is different. But there are people who also have both worlds," he said.

Background

Academics in Ghana became enraged after a Netherlands-based Ghanaian claimed that his Dutch passport offers more opportunities than a Ghanaian PhD.

According to the man, who has been named Mr. Happiness, the opportunities available to him as a Dutch citizen surpass those a Ghanaian PhD can offer to any Ghanaian.

He argues that he can easily obtain a visa to the United States of America just because he has a Netherlands passport; something a PhD holder in Ghana cannot do.

His claims have been met with fierce outrage from the academic community in Ghana, who think it is about time people give respect to academics.

To them, obtaining a PhD is not about the monetary benefits but rather how the knowledge acquired is used to impact society and change fortunes.

One PhD student at the University of Ghana, Chris Atadika, reacting to the claim said, "If you're a PhD holder and you believe that the essence of your PhD primarily lies in how much you should be able to earn in terms of monetary value after your PhD, and you're earning less than you expected, so you believe that your PhD is worthless, then I'm sorry to tell you that you are worthless, not your PhD."

"...The PhD training firstly emphasizes one's contribution to the body of knowledge (literature) and secondly, the significance of one's research study on policy and practice in that field, all through research. Unless, of course, you enrolled in some strange PhD program somewhere, but where does it say in the PhD training that the more you earn after your PhD, the more valuable your PhD is?" he quizzed.

Another senior government official, Sandra Ewool, said, "Dutch passport mpo nie, na America passport deɛ, they weeeeeee press press our necks here..."

Several other comments do not agree with the claim that a Netherlands passport offers opportunities that a Ghanaian PhD cannot offer.

EK