Members of the University Community are informed that the 2023 Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecture Series will be delivered by Her Ladyship Justice Professor Henrietta J.A.N. Mensa-Bonsu.
The details are as follows:
Theme: "Resilience, Technology, and Humanism"
Date: Wednesday 26th April and Thursday 27th April, 2023
Time: 4:30pm
Venue: Great Hall, University of Ghana
A Special Congregation to confer honourary degrees on 18 personalities who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour, will be held on Friday 28th April, 2023 at the Great Hall at 3:30 p.m.
LECTURES
Day 1 - 26th April, 2023
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.
Abstract
‘Resilience’ is the capacity to withstand stress and return to one’s shape after being stretched. In today’s world, it means a state or institution’s capacity to withstand threats to its survival, and even to thrive in difficult terrain. The myriad of challenges facing the state in these times require a measure of state resilience purposefully cultivated and intentionally nurtured. Ghana’s current state is the Ghana we have. Our dream of what Ghana could be, is the Ghana desire. In between these two states, are the threats either in our neighbourhood or from within, which could affect even what we have, and derail our march to the Ghana we desire. In this first lecture, I identify some of the socio-economic phenomena which pose an existential threat to Ghana. These include: rapid urbanisation occasioned by rural-urban migration; changes to our demographic profile and its associated problems; and growing inequality. 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. I also discuss the positive effect and influence of the use of technology, as well as the challenges occasioned by these new technologies, adapted for peaceful and not-so-peaceful, uses respectively. I conclude with recommendations on what needs to be tackled in the immediate future, to face off the threats to the Ghana we have, and ensure our march to the Ghana we desire.
DAY 2 – 27th April, 2023
Topic: “Yen Ara Asaase Ni" Remix - Tuning Up the Contribution of Law in the Ghana we Desire.
Abstract
This second Lecture focuses on the constitutional framework in general, and issues arising thereunder, in particular. Through the lens of state-resilience, I share ideas on some constitutional issues that have featured in public discourse this past decade. As advocacy and agitations for constitutional review have increased in tempo, so has the need to address the average citizen’s appreciation of the issues at stake.
For this reason, I discuss the nature of a constitution, its purpose, and its beneficiaries; and also reflect on the challenges our ethnic, religious and class diversity pose for us in our efforts to build one nation out of these many peoples. I then highlight the basic underpinnings of our Constitution, such as the principles of the rule of law and how these support state-resilience. I also discuss the citizen’s duties and note that it is the part of the bargain of democracy that is much less popular than its converse: rights. I make the point that sustaining constitutionalism and democratic governance is not just about enjoying human rights, but also about performing reciprocal duties, such as honouring one’s tax obligations.
Finally, I also examine issues that are pertinent to some categories of vulnerable citizens - the aged and persons with disability - towards whom we have a duty of humanity. Such persons require more support of the State, and from the State, to enjoy their human rights – a fact which the Constitution itself recognises with appropriate provisions. Is the State doing enough in this regard, beyond passing a Disability Act? Are State agencies doing their utmost to assure their welfare?
I conclude with the position that the Constitution, even in its current state, is capable of serving its purposes as it has done these thirty past years. However, Constitutions do not implement themselves and so we must do our part, first to sustain its integrity, and then support its institutions to deliver on their mandate, so that, harnessing the technologies of our time, the State can continue to play its role in providing a fulfilling life for all its citizens.
All are cordially invited.
