President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo paid tribute to the late Emeritus Professor Kwame Gyekye at the “First Kwame Gyekye Memorial Lecture,” emphasizing the philosopher's advocacy for African solutions to the continent's challenges. Held at the University of Ghana, Legon, the event celebrated Gyekye's profound impact on African philosophy and culture.
Born in 1939, Gyekye dedicated his life to advancing African philosophy and mentoring scholars across the continent and the diaspora. His teachings emphasized critical examination and the importance of ethical living, encapsulated in his dictum, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
President Akufo-Addo underscored Gyekye's belief that citizenship transcends mere legal status, urging a commitment to justice, equality, and solidarity. He emphasized the global relevance of Gyekye's teachings in addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change and inequality.
Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, chairing the event, praised Gyekye's efforts to preserve African cultural heritage and promote communitarian values. He highlighted the importance of integrating culture and values into development efforts.
In his inaugural lecture, Prof. Martin Odei Ajei explored the concept of citizenship and advocated for Gyekye's moderate communitarianism as a theoretical basis for citizenship. Ajei emphasized the need to reconcile national identities with a shared commitment to the common good.
Gyekye's academic career spanned several prestigious institutions globally, and his interpretive insights into the African experience remain influential. He authored nine books on philosophy and was celebrated as a “Man of Seven Languages” for his linguistic prowess.
Gyekye's contributions earned him recognition, including the Kwame Nkrumah African Genius Award for Philosophy, highlighting his immense impact on African philosophy's global prominence.
President Akufo-Addo concluded by urging society to draw inspiration from Gyekye's legacy, striving for inclusive societies where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is empowered to contribute to the collective good.