“It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”

Jeremy Bentham: Father of Utilitarianism

(English philosopher and jurist, born 1748)

The audience at the septaugenarial celebration of the Kumasi Technical University seemed mesmerised after Dr. Addo Kufuor, the Chancellor, ended his erudite speech in which he charged, “What I want to leave you with is that the most successful and great nations are usually built on a tripod of patriotism, integrity and competence. Ghana needs citizens and leaders who demonstrate this tripod…”

The standing ovation accorded the Chancellor demonstrated the acceptance by the audience that indeed Ghana needs leaders who can guide the youth to follow the path of patriotism, integrity and competence to push the nation forward. “I promise on my honour to be faithful and loyal, to Ghana, my motherland…” Ghana’s pledge.

It was a day packed with scholastic speeches laden with sociological truisms, historical guidance, political titbits and hilarious humour. It was a day one was reminded of the philosopy of Epicurus of Samos (born 341 BC), the Greek philosopher who taught that people should act ethically not because the gods punish or reward them for their actions but because as a result of the power of guilt, moral behaviour would naturally lead to remorse that would weigh on their conscience, which would eventually prevent them from attaining ataraxia (peace and freedom from fear).

Rather, unfortunately, this Epicurean philosophy had been misinterpreted to mean simply: “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die,” the hedonistic approach.

The theme for the 70th anniversary was, “Celebrating 70 years of Academic Excellence, Steering the wheels of technical and vocational education.

What is patriotism? It simply means having or showing love and support for one’s country. A patriot is expected to be nationalistic, faithful, loyal, devoted to his country, and is enjoined to eschew a display of treachery, treason or perfidy.

What is integrity? It is conduct that conforms to an accepted standard to right and wrong. We would expect a person with integrity to be morally upright, ethically, scrupulous, and decently virtuous. And, lastly, what is competence? Ability, this is: the physical or mental power to demonstrate the knack or potency for dexterity, and fit well into a meritocracy which is a society in which people get status or rewards because of what they achieve, rather than because of their wealth, social status or connection.

As early as 9:00am that Thursday, July 18, 2024, the New Great Hall of the KsTU was packed with an audience of great intellectuals, high political personages and nobles of royalty. The Master of Ceremonies set the tone with the anecdote of a teacher (like sam Pyne) in a class asking his pupils to give him the feminine for ‘lion’ (a pupil: lioness); a ‘tiger’ (second pupil: ‘tigress) a ‘crab’ (third pupil) ‘Yaa Abrafiokoto’.

The dignitaries were introduced by the Registrar, Mr. Ebenezer Kofi Boakye: Professor Bernard Kumi Boateng, a distinguished alumnus; Mr. Sam Pyne, the indefatigable Chief Executive Officer of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly; affable Ing. Nana Kwasi Agyemang, and the noble chiefs: Nana Osei Bosompem, Chief of Adako Jachie, plus the Ohemaa Nana Tutuwaa Sarfo who have donated plots of land for a hostel for the students, and who have also released some land for the construction of a medical facility to enhance the health care services and delivery (It will be recalled that these progressive chief and queen had already offered land for Kumasi Asante Kotoko to build a beautiful Sports Stadium). Handsome Nana Owusu – Afriyie was also present, and so was the special Guest of Honour, Professor Mensah Bonsu, Asakyirihene, representing Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene.

The Council Chairman, Professor Dr. (Med) Ben Baffoe–Bonnie, gave a short welcome address, while the Vice–Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Dwomoh in his address hinted the launch of a book on the history of KsTU after the Pro Vice–Chancellor, Ing. Professor Mrs. Abena Agyeiwaa Obiri Yeboah, had given a line – up of activities for the 70th anniversary celebration. The Vice–Chancellor was all–praise for the contribution of Dr. Addo Kufuor to the success of KsTU.

The poetic performance by Kwadwo Awortey electrified the Great Hall, but those of us with a smattering of French would wonder why Awortey would say, “Se French Nii hyia me na Ↄka ‘Bonjour’ a na me nso m’aka ‘Bonsoir.”

Of course, our history tells us that “there came an era, when efforts were made to correct an error,” and who would reject “cheers to the past, cheers to the present and cheers to the future? And goodness, the background music: “We are going, Heaven knows where we are going…” gave us the opportunity to reminisce the halcyon days of London–based Ghana–originated international ‘Osibisa’ and you would ask, “Where are Teddy Osei, Mac Tontoh (died 2010), Sol Amarfio (died 2022), and Robert Bailey Spartacus (died 2010)?”

Dr. Kwame Nuako, who represented the Guest Speaker, Mr. Joseph Abuabu Dadzie, was happy to recall being a “proud son of OKLAMS” (OKLAMS = Ofoase Kokoben Primary School) proceeding to Opoku Ware Secondary School (OWASSS) where he learnt “menssana in corporesano” (a healthy mind in a sound body). He charged industry to invest in academia to put “your money where your mouth is.”

In his address, Addo Kufuor, the Chancellor who had his secondary education at Achimota School reminded the audience that as an Ash-Town boy he was familiar with the University when it was K-ploy some years ago, because he had his primary education at the Asem Boys’ School which is a walking distance away. That “the institution has been associated with quality technical capacity-building and the delivery of valuable innovative solutions.”

By comparison with the length of human life as proclaimed in Psalm 90, the Chancellor stated, “Three score years and ten in biblical terms would indicate that a person’s tenancy agreement on the planet would be coming to an end. Not so a university, it is just starting?”

While stressing the huge task ahead of the University, the Chancellor said, “The Kumasi Technical University, therefore, has a huge challenge which is to train, prepare, and equip students to compete in this fast– evolving future world of work… There is the need for the gap between academic institutions and industry to be bridged. The days of ‘book–long’ must come to an end. It is the hope of many of us that in the coming years, KsTU will continue to forge close collaboration with industry to ensure that this institution truly stands out.”

At the ceremony, the packs of goodies were sold to the gathering, for prices ranging from Gh¢500 to Gh¢15,000. Some of the personalities who gathered at Lancaster Hotel had their fill, and they could not fail to say with the university, ‘NimdejHyerjn’, and pray that 70 years truly represents opportunity and potential.