10/09/2017
Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte wrote earlier:
I wonder how my friend Gyampo came to his conclusions in his response to Prez Mahama's recent comments about the declining patriotism among Ghanaians. If those of us who teach politics blame those practicing politics for the ills in our society, should the society begin to question what is taught by us as lecturers? Perhaps? Perhaps not?
I happen to be located on both ends of the axis by my recent experience in public service, and I get surprised when Ghanaians especially those expected to know better assume that our politicians come from another planet. My friend Gyampo should tell us his own contributions as lecturer to making his past or present students patriotic.
We must be glad that this kind of serial caller approach to public discussions characteristic of my good friend does not reflect the fine and celebrated scholarship for which Legon and the many fine collection of academics and intellectuals there are known for.
By all means academics must shape public policy discourse but that is better done when we avoid categorical statements and focus on providing alternative options or alternative interpretations. Let's leave serial caller style talk to serial callers.
Let's get real, our politicians reflect us, yes they reflect our greed, our dishonesty, our deceitfulness, our corrupt habits, our envy, our pettiness, and our pretense among others. They are our siblings, church members, classmates, friends, former business partners, and so they just are as good as we are, and as bad as we are. We are no different. They reflect us in much the same way our clergy, businessmen, and others mirror us.
The academic route to fame lies not in serial caller style castigation of public officials but in ground breaking research that provides solutions to the very problems that frustrate all of us.
Greetings from the hills of Abetifi.
