The Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, marked a historic milestone as it joyously celebrated its 60th anniversary under the theme, "Projecting the African Genius and the African Studies: Past, Present, and Future." The grand celebration aimed to reflect on the Institute's rich legacy over the past six decades while charting a course for a dynamic and globally competitive future.
The festivities were launched on Thursday, 14 December 2023 at the Yiri Lodge, University of Ghana. Past Directors of the Institute - luminaries like Professors George Hagan, Takyiwaa Manuh, Akosua Adomako Ampofo, and Irene Odotei, graced a round table discussion. They shared their profound experiences with faculty members, staff, students, and the wider university community, fostering a spirit of unity and knowledge exchange. The occasion served as a platform to discuss strategies for enhancing the Institute’s image and visibility on a global scale.
A compelling journey through time unfolded with an exhibition at the Kwame Nkrumah Building Complex, showcasing the Institute’s history from its inception in 1961 to the present day. This exhibit not only chronicled the evolution of the Institute but also underscored its significant contributions to African studies and academic distinction.
Some photos at the Exhibition
As part of the anniversary celebration, an awards ceremony was held on 16 December 2023 at the quadrangle of the Institute’s old site, honouring past Directors and Artistic Directors of the renowned Ghana Dance Ensemble (GDE). Venerated individuals like Professor Mawere Opoku, Professor Nii Yartey, Mr. Oh! Nii Kwei Sowah, Mr Ampofo Duodu, Dr Benjamin O. Ayittey, and Dr Moses Nii-Dortey were recognised for their invaluable contributions. The awardees were presented with plaques and certificates, symbolising their lasting impact on the Institute and the GDE.
Some photos at the Awards Night
In a unique turn of events, the Institute extended its celebration to Northern Ghana, engaging with several community members during the Feok festival of the Builsa people and mounting an exhibition on Slavery Resistance in Northern Ghana. The exhibition was expertly managed by Mr Philip Owusu, Curator of the IAS; Mr William Asare, the IAS Administrator; Professor Ntewusu, Honourable Aglinko, Assemblyman in Sandema and Kwesi Amoak, a PhD student of the Institute of African Studies and a Committee member of the IAS@60 planning committee. The exhibition drew in a lot of people and led to lively debates and discussions between the audience and IAS Staff. The team also had discussions on resistance to enslavement in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, with a cross-section of the public at the Akayet Hotel. At the hotel, the Director was asked by Cross-Cultural Tours to do a reading of his book ‘Arrows of Power’. The book discussed the different strategies adopted by communities in Northern Ghana to resist enslavement.
Mr. William Asare and Professor Samuel Ntewusu also engaged the media through lively discussions on the history of the IAS, the celebration activities and the courses on offer at the Institute of African Studies. Media outlets, including Builsa Radio in Sandema, Radio Savannah, Radio Justice, and Filla FM, all in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region. The media interaction played a pivotal role in spreading the message of the African studies story from 1961 to the present and the Institute’s commitment to promoting the cultural traditions and heritage of the African people, within and outside of the continent.
As the curtain falls on the 60th-anniversary celebrations, the Institute of African Studies eagerly anticipates the continuation of the festivities in 2024. The upcoming year promises symposia, seminars by each unit of the Institute, a night of cultural performances by the Ghana Dance Ensemble, and many exciting programmes. The Institute remains steadfast in its dedication to academic excellence in African studies, fostering knowledge, and celebrating the richness of the African heritage.