President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated emphatically that his uncle, Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah, who was a pan-Africanist and a member of the big six, is the founder of Ghana’s premier university, the University of Ghana.
According to the President, through the inspired vision of JB Danquah, Ghanaians were able to reject the original decision of the colonial government of establishing a single university in Ibadan in Nigeria for British West Africa in getting to agree to establish a separate university for Ghana.
“How felicitous was that decision and how greatly it has contributed to the growth of modern Ghana, it will be wholly appropriate and not at all far-fetched to describe Joseph Boakye Danquah as the founder of this University,” he said.
He added, “The fact which on the 70th anniversary of the university's existence should be vividly recalled that all of us are the beneficiaries of his work.”
The President made this known at the launch of the University of Ghana endowment fund.
The endowment fund which is in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the University of Ghana is to provide additional non-restricted funding to enable the university to improve the delivery of her mandate.
The endowment fund is expected to assist the provision of additional facilities and resources to enhance research and teaching including equipment, teaching aids and space.
“It is also envisaged that the funds generated will be used for graduate training and thesis research as well as for the upgrade (quality and coverage) of internet connectivity on all UG campuses and finally for the expansion of access to library facilities.”
