Allegations of Historical Distortion by Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye

Yaw Anokye Frimpong has accused former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye of distorting history while teaching at the University of Ghana. Frimpong claims that Oquaye misrepresented significant historical facts to align with his political beliefs, particularly regarding Kwame Nkrumah. In opposition, Oquaye emphasizes the NPP’s vital role in promoting democracy and human rights in Ghana.

Historian and lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong has accused Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Speaker of Parliament, of distorting historical facts during his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Ghana. According to Frimpong, who was taught Political Science by Prof. Oquaye, his classes were marked by frequent chaos stemming from the professor’s political bias.

Frimpong alleged that Prof. Oquaye misrepresented key historical events to fit his political narrative, leading to disputes among students who were familiar with Ghana’s history. He stated, “He taught me political science. At the time, he was Dr. Mike Oquaye, and there was always conflict in his class because his course focused on politics in Ghana, yet he twisted historical facts to fit his narrative. If Nkrumah built the Tema Harbour, he would tell us that it wasn’t Nkrumah but the British who built it for him to inherit.”

Additionally, he claimed that Oquaye distorted the contributions of George Alfred “Paa” Grant, specifically regarding the financial support that allowed Kwame Nkrumah to return to Ghana. Frimpong asserted that, contrary to Oquaye’s claims, “The £100 that was used to bring Nkrumah to Ghana was given by Paa Grant, but Mike Oquaye would tell us that it was JB Danquah, even though Danquah was a lawyer who didn’t have that kind of money. I know Mike Oquaye very well; he doesn’t like Nkrumah.”

In contrast, Prof. Oquaye has publicly stated that Ghanaians owe their freedom and democracy to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). At a recent mentorship program organized by the NPP, he stressed the importance of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition in establishing human rights in Ghana’s constitutional framework.

Oquaye has been critical of Nkrumah’s leadership, arguing that human rights were neglected during his tenure. He remarked that under Nkrumah, laws such as the Preventive Detention Act allowed for indefinite detention, stating, “Nkrumah is celebrated as a hero today, yet he introduced such oppressive policies against Ghanaians. It’s a contradiction. We must claim our history and recognize that if you love your freedom, you must love the NPP.”

In summary, Yaw Anokye Frimpong has leveled serious allegations against Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye regarding the distortion of historical facts while he was a lecturer at the University of Ghana. Frimpong’s claims highlight significant concerns about historical accuracy and bias in education. Conversely, Prof. Oquaye maintains that the contributions of the New Patriotic Party are foundational to Ghana’s freedoms and democracy, an assertion he backs with his interpretation of historical events during Nkrumah’s regime. These differing narratives illustrate the contentious nature of Ghana’s political history.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com