Aki @ 80

Lectures - Day One

Introduction

Dr. Yao Graham

It is a real pleasure to welcome all of you on behalf of the organisers of this event, where we are all gathered here today to celebrate a friend, a comrade, a source of inspiration, Aki to all of us. We’ve gathered today to have this public event under the theme, “Celebrating a life of academic excellence, public service, thought leadership and activism”

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks

Prof. Emeritus Takyiwaa Manuh

I join Yao in welcoming you all to this celebration which I am honoured to chair. Distinguished guests, allow me to make my own personal tribute to Aki that I have titled, “A Prof of One’s Own,” after Virginia Wolf’s “A Room of One’s Own.”

Democratisation, Active Citizenship, and Africa’s Transformation

Prof. Adebayo O. Olukoshi

For a person who has been one of the most thoughtful, courageous, and dignified voices in the recent intellectual history of Africa, it is more than fitting that our collective reflections today, facilitated by a core group of our colleagues based in Accra, on the state of the ongoing effort at democratisation in Africa, is devoted to celebrate distinguished Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr's 80th birthday.

Some Comments on the Key Note:
Democratization, Active Citizenship and Africa’s Transformation

Zenebework Tadesse

Allow me to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to the organizers of the event both for inviting me, and for their inspired and inspiring initiative namely the Aki @80 event. The timely initiative to celebrate the life and achievement of Aki Sawyerr signals both the broadening and deepening of efforts to valorize our resources on this continent.

Some Comments on the Key Note:
Democratization, Active Citizenship and Africa’s Transformation

Dr. Emmanuel 0. Akwetey

I have learnt a few things and that excites me. Prof is the current chair of the IDEG Governing Council, but I also have Prof Florence Abena Dolphyne here who is the immediate past chair and it is good to acknowledge her and Mr. Ato Ampiah, council members of IDEG.

Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS)

Prof. Kofi Anyidoho

Akilagpa Sawyerr, Professor of Law, Barristeat Law, Lincoln's Inn, and Barrister at Law & Solicitor of the Supreme Courts of Ghana and of Papua New Guinea, you were elected and inducted into the Fellowship of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992. Your reputation as a public intellectual preceded your arrival.

Statement from University of Ghana, Legon

Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo

I wish to extend personally, and on behalf of Management and the entire University community our warm felicitations on this momentous occasion celebrating the 80th birthday anniversary of our venerable professor and erudite scholar, Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr.

School of Law, University of Ghana

Prof. Raymond Atuguba

Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr was a member of the Faculty of Law (as it was then called) of the University of Ghana from 1970 to 1981. During the period, he demonstrated an excellent command of the subject matter of his courses; sterling teaching abilities; quality debating skills; and a genuine interest in his students; equipping them with knowledge, skills, and values that inured to the benefit of Ghana and beyond.

Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)

Dr. Godwin Murunga

Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr and your family, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Godwin Murunga, the Executive Secretary of CODESRIA. I would like to begin with the caveat that my statement will not be like the others, partly because in the scheme of things, Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr taught the people who ended up teaching those who taught me.

Third World Network-Africa

Pauline Vande Fallen

Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr was a member of the Faculty of Law (as it was then called) of the University of Ghana from 1970 to 1981. During the period, he demonstrated an excellent command of the subject matter of his courses; sterling teaching abilities; quality debating skills; and a genuine interest in his students; equipping them with knowledge, skills, and values that inured to the benefit of Ghana and beyond.

Day One: Chairperson's Closing Remarks

Prof. Emeritus Takyiwaa Manuh

Ladies and gentlemen, you will all agree with me that we have had a stimulating evening. We could stay here till late, but we also respect your time. We are aware that tomorrow this conference will continue, and we want you to come back for more, those of you who can, and are not flying out. We are happy that you have been able to join us to celebrate our own Prof Aki Sawyerr.

Lectures - Day Two

Chairperson's Opening Remarks

Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata

Thank you very much for that introduction. Professor Akilakpa Sawyer, whose life and work we are celebrating in his eightieth year, Mrs. Judith Sawyer, the entire Sawyer family here present, the organisers of this event, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, invited guests, welcome to the second and last day of this exciting two-day celebration of what has been described aptly as a life of academic excellence, public service, thought leadership and activism.

The Crisis of Work, Wages and Wealth in Ghana

Charles Akelyira Abugre

I am highly honoured to be asked to give a keynote speech in celebration of Prof. Sawyerr. Unlike many, I did not have the good fortune of being his student, as I did not study Law. My encounter with lawyers on the dusty streets of Bolgatanga, fully suited in black, often sweating profusely, trudging along in the hot Harmattan with their black shoes, somehow was not exactly the most endearing attraction to me.

Discussant's Comments

Prof. Alma Opokua Britwum

The Chairperson, Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata, permit me a moment to express my gratitude to the organisers for including me in the celebration. For my part, even though I welcome this opportunity to pay homage and express my personal gratitude to the celebrant, Prof. Akilapa Sawyerrr, I find myself under pressure to preform the task assigned to expectation. Standards even harder to meet, following the quality of presentations so far, that of the keynote and other speakers from yesterday and today.

Second Discussant's Comments

Ben Boakye

Good evening distinguished personalities here. I am really humbled to have the opportunity to be present first of all, and also to see the great people in this room and that of course has really tamed my presentation this evening. It has been a beautiful celebration and I want to keep it that beautiful without pretending to be former President Rawlings as I intended to.

The STAR Ghana Angle

Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko

In celebrating Aki @ 80, we at the STAR Ghana Foundation are celebrating more than the man and his impact on his society. We are also celebrating the journey of civil society in Ghana since the early 1980s when Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr (Aki) provided leadership for the Structural Adjustment Programme Review Initiative (SAPRI), a civil society-led initiative to deepen citizens' voices and engagement with the structural adjustment programme.

Ghana Oil & Gas for Inclusive Growth Programme (GOGIG)

Adelaide Addo-Fenning

To put down my thoughts on what to say, I have been reflecting on what I know of the man, Prof Akilagpa Sawyerr and asking myself "what is it that produces a person like this" - who embodies intelligence, a penchant for excellence, integrity and incredible wisdom, exhibited with such charm, humility, wit and humour and driven by an unusually deep sense of public spiritedness and service.

IDEG-Statement

Dr. EmmanuelAkwetey

I have known Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr for 22 years since 1997. In a little over two decades that I have known him I have benefitted immensely from his spirit of kindness, friendship, honesty, faithfulness, selflessness, respect and candidness. Above all my understanding of working as a patriot and Pan-Africanist blossomed. Permit me not to speak about his brilliance and integrity because he is Professor and the Aki!

Day Two: Closing Remarks

Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr

When I say I'm going to say nothing, it means I will say less than I will normally say. Let me begin by thanking the speakers, yesterday and today, not only for coming to join me in celebrating me but for speaking so brilliantly about important matters which have for so long been left undiscussed. And I'm old enough now thanks to Nana, to speak my mind freely and to say that, having listened to the public discourse in this country for the past ten, twelve, fifteen but especially the last four, five, six years, you wonder where were these people?