Adu Boahen Memorial Library and Archive Marks Two Years of Historical Excellence and Inspiration

The Adu Boahen Memorial Library and Archive (ABMLA), located at the Department of History, University of Ghana, is marking two years of preserving Ghana’s historical heritage and honouring the life and work of one of the nation’s most iconic scholars, Professor Emeritus Albert Adu Boahen.

Since its inauguration, the ABMLA has established itself as a centre for intellectual engagement, drawing students, researchers and historians alike into an environment that nurtures critical inquiry and deepens appreciation for Ghana’s historical narratives. Through its rich collection of rare books, personal manuscripts, archival records, and exhibitions, the Library continues to serve as both a scholarly resource and a beacon of national memory.

As part of this year’s celebrations, which also mark the 19th anniversary of Professor Boahen’s passing, the Department of History and the Adu Boahen Memorial Library and Archive have launched a week-long exhibition themed “The Life and Works of Prof. Emeritus Albert Adu Boahen.” 

The exhibition opens on Monday, May 26, and runs through Friday, May 30, 2025. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore rare documents, photographs, and publications that reflect Professor Boahen’s academic brilliance, political courage and commitment to decolonising knowledge production in Africa.

In addition to the exhibition, preparations are underway for a memorial lecture to honour Professor Boahen’s profound legacy in academia, national development and democratic advocacy. Details of the lecture will be announced in due course.

The Adu Boahen Memorial Library and Archive was established to serve as a living tribute to Professor Boahen, whose contributions transcended the classroom and impacted Ghana’s public discourse and political landscape. His role in shaping the historiography of Ghana and Africa, his involvement in promoting democratic governance and his influence on educational reform remain deeply respected.

The University of Ghana invites members of the University community, the general public, and all history enthusiasts to visit the exhibition and engage with the work of the ABMLA. The celebration is a commemoration of a scholarly giant and a call to sustain a vibrant culture of historical research and intellectual excellence.