Yaw Anokye Frimpong has accused Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye of distorting Ghana’s history during lectures at the University of Ghana. Frimpong claims Oquaye’s political biases led to misrepresentation of events, particularly concerning Kwame Nkrumah. Oquaye asserts the NPP’s vital role in promoting democracy and critiques Nkrumah’s record on human rights. These contrasting narratives reflect ongoing debates about Ghana’s historical and political landscape.
Historian and lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong has accused former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, of distorting history during his lectures at the University of Ghana. Frimpong, who studied Political Science under Oquaye, reported frequent conflicts in class due to the professor’s political views, which allegedly skewed historical facts to fit his narrative.
In an interview with Onua TV on March 10, 2025, Frimpong claimed that Oquaye often misrepresented crucial events, stating, “He taught me political science… he twisted historical facts to fit his narrative.” For example, he asserted that Oquaye would credit the British for the Tema Harbour’s construction, despite Kwame Nkrumah’s involvement.
Frimpong also mentioned Oquaye’s misrepresentation of George Alfred “Paa” Grant’s role, claiming, “The £100 that was used to bring Nkrumah to Ghana was given by Paa Grant… Mike Oquaye would tell us that it was JB Danquah.” He asserted, “I know Mike Oquaye very well, he doesn’t like Nkrumah.”
In contrast, Oquaye has asserted that the contributions of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are pivotal to Ghana’s freedom and democracy. At a mentorship program celebrating the 77th anniversary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), he stressed the importance of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition in fostering human rights.
Oquaye criticized Nkrumah’s leadership, stating it neglected human rights, and highlighted the oppressive policies of the era, particularly the Preventive Detention Act of 1958. He emphasized, “Nkrumah is celebrated as a hero today, yet he introduced such oppressive policies against Ghanaians. It’s a contradiction.”
Oquaye concluded that to value freedom, Ghanaians must recognize the positive contributions of the NPP, calling its members “developmental, selfless gentlemen, focused on progress.”
Additionally, a special edition of People and Places covered the return of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue head after 43 years, further illustrating Ghana’s historical narrative.
The allegations by Yaw Anokye Frimpong highlight significant concerns regarding historical representation in academia, particularly regarding Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye’s teachings. The conflict over Nkrumah’s role and the impact of the NPP on Ghana’s democracy illustrates the ongoing debates surrounding historical narratives. Understanding these differing perspectives is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of Ghana’s political history and the implications for current governance and societal values.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
