Gandhi Statue Issue in Ghana University
The Hon. President of
India, Pranab Mukherjee, on the occasion of
his visit to Ghana, on June 14, 2016,
unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at
the recreational quadrangle of the
University of Ghana's Legon campus which is situated about 12 kilometers
northeast of the centre of Accra, the capital city. A group of four university
teachers of African Studies, history and law disciplines of Ghana University
and one of the founders of Accra (dot)
Alt, which promotes alternative African music, video and art, on September 12, 2016,
filed a petition for the removal of the statue of Gandhi before the honorable
members of the University of Ghana Council and for the attention of the Chairman of Council, Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi who is government appointee for consideration. Subsequently, it was posted in the form of an
online petition in https://www.change.org/ –the world’s platform for change.The sensational news about it appeared in a number of electronic and print
media in Ghana and through out world. The Republic of Ghana wanted to end the acrimony continuing after the
unveiling of the statue and finally decided
to relocate the Gandhi statue at the University to a safer place. In a statement issued by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Republic of Ghana on October 5, 2016 said “While acknowledging that human as he was, Mahatma
Gandhi may have had his flaws, we must remember that people evolve. He inspired
movements for civil rights and freedom across the world…… The government would,
therefore want to relocate the statue from the University of Ghana to ensure
its safety and to avoid the controversy on the Legon Campus being a distraction
of our strong ties of friendship that has
existed over the years.” The mainstream media propaganda after the
decision created a feeling among common people that Gandhi was a racist.
Therefore, it is significant to highlight the truth in the statement of the
petitioners. It will be interesting to
know why the petitioners have demanded for the removal of the statue of Gandhi from Ghana
University and truth in their statements .
For details read the article written by Siby K. Joseph
Truth about the demand for removal of the Gandhi statue in Ghana University