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Public lecture held in Accra to honour late general Ignatius Kutu Acheampong
After 46 years of his passing, a public lecture has been held in Accra to reminisce and honour the memory of General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Ghana’s fifth Head of State after independence.
The maiden lecture, which drew participants from academia, government agencies, students and the corporate world, was on the topic: “May Abrewa And The Ancestors Absolve Me: A Reflection On General Acheampong From Public Memory And Ghana’s Leadership Historiography.”
General Acheampong, who ruled from 1972 to 1978, introduced key national development policies such as Operation Feed Yourself and Operation Feed Your Industries to improve food production and support local industries.
His government also worked on major road projects, supported state enterprises and pushed for economic self-reliance through the “Yen Tua” idea, which aimed to renegotiate Ghana’s debt for the country’s benefit.
Speaking to journalists after the event, the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, author and cultural historian, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, said the lecture was important because it allowed the nation to revisit the life and ideas of the late general.
He said some parts of Acheampong’s story had been buried over the years and needed to be brought back into public discussion.
He noted that the country must examine both the strengths and weaknesses of Acheampong’s leadership if Ghanaians are to learn useful lessons for the future.
According to him, the late general served with sincerity and a pure heart, even though some of his decisions were misunderstood and some faulted.
Nana Nketsia added that many Ghanaians had become cautious about issues of national instability, unlike in the past when coups were welcomed.
He stressed that learning from such periods would help prevent the mistakes that caused past tensions.
He further called on Ghanaians to reflect on their own values, saying leaders rise from the people and often reflect the society that produces them.
He said examining Acheampong’s life honestly will give meaning to his death and help shape a more responsible national identity.
The son of the late leader and Director of the Kutu Acheampong Foundation, Anthony Kutu Acheampong, described the event as historic, saying that few imagined a public lecture for his father would ever be held, especially at the University of Ghana, which once opposed his rule.
He explained that the Foundation was set up to help the public understand Acheampong’s personality and leadership.
He noted that the Foundation commissioned a balanced book on the general’s life to present both the positive and negative sides of his story.
Anthony said the public lecture series aims to create a platform for discussions on Ghana’s history and leadership.
He encouraged Ghanaians to learn from the past and work together to improve the country, which he described as the only home for all its people.
Renowned Professor of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Prof. Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, commended the book on Acheampong, saying it helped restore parts of Ghana’s political history that had been nearly forgotten.
He said many young Ghanaians were unaware of Acheampong’s contributions until the publication of the work.
He emphasised that Ghana must tell its national story honestly, without distortion, so that citizens can clearly understand the past and use it to shape a better future.
According to him, political independence alone is not enough if the country does not achieve economic independence.
Prof. Adu-Gyamfi added that Ghana is at a crossroads and must rethink its direction, especially in areas of resource control, patriotism and national development.
He stressed that examining Acheampong’s leadership could offer lessons that help guide the country forward.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
