Legon Philosophy Department honours Kwame Gyekye

Accra, June 14, GNA- Professor Kwame Gyekye, an eminent African philosopher and scholar, was at the week-end honoured by the Philosophy Department of the University of Ghana for his meritorious service to the University for the past 40 years.

He was presented with a beautifully loom woven Bonwinre Kente cloth, a plaque and citation.

Prof. Helen Lauer, Head of the Department said in the citation, at a dinner in Accra:" This evening, it is indeed an honour and privilege to read this citation for Prof Kwame Gyekye, in honour of the 40th anniversary of his doctoral graduation from Harvard University and 40 years of service to the Department of Philosophy and the University of Ghana."

Fellow dons and former students of Prof. Gyekye, now professors themselves reminisced with applause the olden days when Prof. Gyekye would come to the lecture hall, and would say "It is time to think" before starting his lectures.

The citation described Prof. Gyekye, 69, as not only a Scholar and Philosopher, but as " Teacher, Friend, Husband, Father and Grandfather," adding, "we salute you and say congratulations, ayekoo! "You are indeed one of the great philosophers of our time, and we are very proud to honour you tonight. Thank you for your leadership and selfless dedication to teaching and quality scholarship; your scholarly contributions to the study of philosophy have blazed a path for future generations of students and scholars to follow and build upon," the citation added, as senior members of the department and affiliate departments, and sister universities- Cape Coast, Lagos, as well as wife and children and extended family members applauded the man who sat quiet but however known to be a foremost deep thinker on the African continent.

In the span of the four decades service to the University, the wealth of knowledge and the exemplary teaching were said to have endeared him to hundreds of students over the years. In addition to being a brilliant philosopher, Prof Gyekye served as Vice Master of the Akuafo Hall, Head of the Philosophy Department, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dean of School of Research and Graduate Studies, as well as Chairman of a number of Boards, including that of the Graphic Communications Group Limited.

He also served as Vice President (Arts) of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has edited the 16 lectures that were delivered and are being published under the title; 'Ghana @ 50: Annivesary Lectures.' Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah described Prof Gyekye as pleasurable to work with. Prof Gyekye thanked the Department for the honour done him, and said it came as a surprise to him.

Later in an interview, Prof Joseph Atsu Ayee, Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies of the University of Ghana, and a former student of Prof Gyekye, praised Prof Gyekye for his mentoring role, not only for students but also for colleague lecturers. Prof Ayee made a strong case for the study of philosophy to continue.

He however said there was the need for a restructuring of the course to satisfy modern trends and demands to make it more applicable. Prof Ayee suggested a training programme for politicians in Ghana to undergo some training in ethics, and said plans were underway to introduce the study of philosophy across all programmes at the University.