Academic freedom must be inclusive – Prof. Kofi Abotsi

 


The Dean of the School of Law at UPSA, Professor Kofi Abotsi, indicated that academic freedom should not be limited to lecturers alone; students must also have this freedom to cultivate a generation of critical thinkers for the nation.


He stressed the importance of higher education institutions recognizing that a comprehensive approach to academic freedom is essential for fostering independent thought and critical analysis necessary for national progress.


Professor Abotsi made these remarks during the launch of the Africa Coalition for Academic Freedom (ACAF) in Accra yesterday.


The coalition's mission includes protecting academics, allowing them to engage in the global knowledge economy without obstacles.


He pointed out the necessity for universities to promote independent thinking instead of encouraging students to merely memorize and repeat information.


Prof. Abotsi observed that many lecturers prefer students who can recite their lectures rather than those who question concepts or think critically.


He expressed concern that in numerous universities, students are often told to replicate what they learn from their lecturers to succeed in exams, which stifles independent thought.


This, he argued, represents a form of suppression within academia, even as scholars advocate for freedom in their research endeavors.


He highlighted the current global climate where science, politics, and knowledge frequently conflict.


Prof. Abotsi referenced the COVID-19 pandemic as an instance where scientific inquiry became politicized, noting that “Researchers faced the dilemma of siding with the government or the opposition, complicating the pursuit of objective research.”


He also mentioned that in some authoritarian regimes, governments may try to control academic research, suppressing certain findings to maintain the status quo.


On his part, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak said there was the need to protect academic freedom as it was often threatened by society, government, and even academ­ics themselves.


He pointed out that many misun­derstand academic freedom, as they viewed it as a privilege for university scholars rather than a fundamental right that benefits society.


Dr Apaak stressed that academic freedom was not just about better working conditions for lecturers, instead, it should be about research, knowledge sharing, and applying ideas to improve political, social, and eco­nomic conditions.


He highlighted the government’s efforts to support education, includ­ing the no-academic-fee policy for first-year students in public tertiary institutions and free tertiary education for persons with disabilities.


Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, a professor of African and Gender Studies at the University of Ghana, called on scholars to unite, defend their rights and protect their ability to conduct research freely.

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