News
Public lecture held in Accra to honour late general Ignatius Kutu Acheampong
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-26-at-14.25.26-1-e1764170760650-1000x600.jpeg&description=Public lecture held in Accra to honour late general Ignatius Kutu Acheampong', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-26-at-14.25.26-1-e1764170760650-1000x600.jpeg&description=Public lecture held in Accra to honour late general Ignatius Kutu Acheampong', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
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
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
