Her Ladyship Justice Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu delivers 2023 Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lectures

Her Ladyship Justice Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, a Justice of Ghana's Supreme Court, Law Professor, and an Alumna of the University, has delivered the 2023 Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lectures. 

The lectures, held at the Great Hall on April 26 and April 27, 2023, forms part of activities marking the University's 75th-anniversary celebration and were on the broad theme, "Resilience, Technology, and Humanism."

A cross-section of participants at the Lecture

On day one of the Lecture, Justice Professor Mensa-Bonsu, spoke on the topic, “ ‘We are Watchers of a Beacon, Whose Light Must Never Die’ - Contemporary Musings on the March from the Ghana we have, to the Ghana we Desire”. She identified several socio-economic phenomena, such as rapid urbanisation, demographic changes, and growing inequality, that pose an existential threat to Ghana and make the country more vulnerable to external threats from the subregion. According to her Ladyship, resilience is crucial for any state or institution seeking to withstand threats to its survival and thrive in difficult terrain.  

“These internal distortions, make us more vulnerable to external threats from the subregion and must cause us to take active steps, mostly envisioned under the 1992 Constitution, to address them in order to protect the Ghana we have, so that we might progress to the Ghana we desire”, she added. 

Justice Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu

She mentioned that the myriad of challenges facing the country in these times require a measure of state resilience, purposefully cultivated and intentionally nurtured. 

Justice Prof. Mensa-Bonsu emphasized the importance of cultivating state resilience in the face of terrorism. She highlighted the economic consequences of the upsurge of terrorist activities in the sub-region and praised the Accra Initiative's efforts to combat Jihadist groups.  

A cross-section of participants at the Lecture

Justice Professor Mensa-Bonsu also noted with concern the decline in the spirit of volunteerism in Ghana, with the exploits of past generations being forgotten by younger generations. She called for the mobilization of youth to deliver voluntary service and help with national development. 

“Currently, young people are left with little structure beyond the National Service Scheme, leading them to complain about marginalization and demonstrate in favor of self-centered grievances. By reviving the spirit of volunteerism, young people could contribute to national development and make a difference even in Ghana's financial constraints.”  

Students from the Achimota School were in attendance

Acknowledging the benefits of mobile phone technology, Justice Professor Mensa-Bonsu, also recognized the challenges it poses in the spread of fake news and misinformation. She suggested a holistic approach to the technology sector and the establishment of a Presidential Commission on Technology to develop a national vision for the use of new technologies.  

Justice Professor Mensa-Bonsu made several recommendations at the end of her lecture, including the need to address threats to national security to preserve national stability and promote inclusive development to increase national cohesion. 

There was a cultural performance to entertain participants

She also emphasized the importance of viewing pro-poor policies as an investment rather than a cost and implementing social safety nets to address poverty and inequality. Additionally, she highlighted the need to reduce the vulnerability of youth to predatory political actors and address issues such as poverty and growing inequality, which can lead to illegal migration and exploitation by traffickers. 

On day two of the Lectures, Her Ladyship Justice Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, titled her lecture, “‘Yen Ara Asaase Ni’ Remix - Tuning Up the Contribution of Law in the Ghana we Desire.” 

She focused her lecture on constitutional issues that have been widely discussed in recent years, as well as discussing the importance of upholding the Constitution as a means of achieving a more resilient and prosperous Ghana. 

Students and teachers from the Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School were also in attendance

Emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and good governance in creating an environment that fosters economic growth, social cohesion, and political stability, Justice Mensa-Bonsu noted that, “The clamour for constitutional review is appropriate, for the unexamined life is not worth living, but wholesale revision or rejection of the entire document is as time wasting as it is unhelpful, for the real problem is the character and attitude of the Ghanaian, and not the words written on the paper.” 

She opined that the Constitution, even in its current state, is capable of serving its purposes as it has done these thirty past years, noting, however, that Constitutions do not implement themselves, but that countries must do their part, first to sustain its integrity, and then support its institutions to deliver on their mandate.  

She also highlighted the need for legal and institutional reforms that will promote transparency and accountability in government, protect human rights, and ensure access to justice for all citizens. 

Former Vice-Chancellor's and current senior UG management officials were also in attendance

Justice Professor Henrietta J.A.N. Mensa-Bonsu highlighted the lack of compassion for the vulnerable in society, particularly young children, the aged, and those with disabilities. She questioned why the State has yet to focus more on designing policies that address their needs, despite being obliged to do so according to Article 37(2)(b).  

She stated that while legislation such as the Children's Act and Disability Act that have been passed, there has been little implementation or monitoring to give life to those provisions, while the Bill on the Aged is also awaiting a favorable day, adding to the list of neglected legislation. Justice Mensa-Bonsu urged the government to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable and implement policies that address their concern. 

In her opening remarks as Chairperson of the first day, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, hinted that the lectures have been a prominent feature on the university’s academic calendar since its inception in 1957, providing a platform for distinguished personalities and alumni to share their perspectives on topical issues of global and national importance.  

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

She emphasized the need for a critical assessment of the state of affairs in Ghana from a pragmatic point of view, free from political gimmicks. She noted that while the country has a clear sense of the Ghana it desires, it is facing threats that have the potential to derail its modest gains and distract it from its desired destination.  

The Chairperson of day two of the lecture series, Her Ladyship Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu, a Justice of the Supreme Court and member of the University Council, pointed out that the world has undergone tremendous changes since the constitution was drafted over 30 years ago, with new technology, evolving social norms, and a growing population, making a case for the re-examination of how the constitution serves the country in light of the changes. 

Her Ladyship Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu

She emphasised the need for the citizenry to play an active role in shaping the future of Ghana's constitution. 

On behalf of the University, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo presented a handcraft ‘Adinkrahene’ symbol to Her Ladyship Justice Professor Henrietta J.A.N. Mensa-Bonsu. The ‘Adinkrahene’ symbolises Her Ladyship’s Greatness, Charisma, and Leadership. 

Justice Professor Henrietta J.A.N. Mensa-Bonsu receiving the presentation from Prof. Amfo 

The 2023 Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecture series was attended by past and present officials of the University, members of the University community, and the public. 

 

Please click here for the lecture brochure.  

Please click here for the history of the Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecture series.