- Otumfuo urges academic institutions to move beyond partisan politics
- He highlights the lack of meaningful collaboration between Ghana’s academia
- Otumfuo questions the effectiveness of education in addressing national issues
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has called on academic institutions to shed their heavy partisan biases and foster a culture of rigorous objectivity.
He emphasized that the current political divisions are undermining the essential role of academia, which is meant to be a beacon of knowledge rather than a battleground for political disputes.
In his address during a ceremony where the University of Cape Coast (UCC) awarded him an Honorary Doctorate Degree, Otumfuo highlighted the global impact of universities in shaping policies and advancing societies through research and collaboration.
He expressed concern over the lack of effective partnership between the Ghanaian state and academia, pointing out that political fragmentation has eroded the value of academic institutions.
He advocated for a reinvigorated relationship between academia, the government, and business leaders, aiming for continuous engagement of academic expertise in policy-making.
Otumfuo stressed that for this to succeed, academia must first rid itself of extreme partisanship and develop a robust culture of objective evaluation.
Furthermore, he questioned why, despite the high levels of education among leaders, issues like economic distress and legislative stagnation persist.
He called for a thorough review of the impact of education to restore public trust and ensure that educational investments lead to tangible improvements in governance and societal progress.
The honorary degree awarded to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II recognizes his significant contributions to national development, peace, and cultural enrichment.
The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries and featured a celebration of Ghanaian culture and academic excellence.
