Many apolitical retired Ghanaians whose knowledge, exposure and experience could contribute to national development, are reluctant to appear on radio/TV programmes simply because of what former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Emeritus Professor Ernest Aryeetey, suffered just after his interview on Citi FM on October 19, 2025.
Talking on a broad range of topics with host Bernard Avle, from Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah to today, what caught the attention of the politician was the Professor’s statement that Rawlings ruled with anger.
To the politician, the septuagenarian professor, an adult in 1979 who saw what happened, had no right to an opinion contrary to what he, the politician, a toddler in 1979, saw.
His unkind words went beyond the professor to include his colleagues in academia, whom he accused of having dedicated themselves to dimming the sunlight of Rawlings.
“O respect! Where art thou gone?”
This took me to my combined articles of 2017 titled, Talking by heart? and 2020 titled, When I was a child, I talked like…., parts of which are quoted below.
As Osofo, my former Chaplain-General apologised to me copiously on a Monday morning and asked for “forgiveness for being a bad-boy.” Reason? He had not gotten in touch in recent times.
I tried impressing him, probably subconsciously attempting to make up for not going to church the previous day on Sunday by saying, “As the Bible says, to err is human, but to forgive is divine!”
I was surprised when Osofo quickly corrected me that the oft-quoted aphorism is not a quote in/from the Bible!
Researching into that later, I realised the quote is attributed to the poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744), who in his 1711 poem, “An Essay in Criticism”, used the expression for the first time!
Sighing, I told myself, the learning process has no end! Having been educated by Osofo, I decided to make a foray into another popular quote, “when I was a child……...!” This time, I located it. It states:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
Generally, as we go through life’s stages of childhood, adolescence into adulthood, maturity replaces our ways of a child, in speech/thought/reasoning and good behaviour. But, is it always the case?
Do we stop “talking/thinking/reasoning” like children when we become adults?
To make a determination, one only has to listen to local radio/TV news, which many Ghanaians deliberately do not do, as a protest against lack of objectivity, disrespect and intemperate language!
In my 2017 article in the Daily Graphic titled, Talking by heart? I stated as follows:
“The tap on my shoulder was gentle. When I turned, my eyes beheld the broad smile of Prof. As he extended his hand, I instinctively stood up for a warm handshake.
As if acting on cue, having seen goings-on between the two of us, the Chairman asked the new arrivals for self-introductions.
The professor’s introduction was simple.
“My name is Kwame, and I taught this General.”
The applause was spontaneous. I replied, “Prof. was a fantastic teacher.”
There was another round of applause. The mutual respect between the two of us was obvious.
Prof. happened to be the late Professor Kwame Gyekye, who, for many years, taught Philosophy at the University of Ghana, Legon.
I was a Teaching Assistant under him. He was also the first Dean of Graduate Studies at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC). The occasion was a meeting of the Ghana Association of Writers at the Pan African Writers Association House at Roman Ridge, Accra.
I have always had absolute respect for Professor Gyekye as my teacher. I guess the case is so for pupils/students for our teachers at all levels.
As I listened to the radio that morning, I heard the man say that the Professor, not my Professor Gyekye, was his lecturer at the university.
His next statement, therefore, caught me completely flat-footed.
Reacting to a comment allegedly made about him by his Professor, which displeased him, the man stated that the Professor must not “talk by heart!”
Talk by heart? I could not believe my ears, because I know that anything done by heart is done without much thought. It certainly is not a positive comment.
If the man had not himself said in his introductory remarks that the Professor had taught him at the university, my shock would have been less. Indeed, when he stated that he was the Professor’s student, I expected cordiality similar to that between Prof. Gyekye and me.
Discussion
When we were growing up in the 1960s, a book every pupil had was “Courtesy for Boys and Girls!” We were taught to be respectful and disciplined, even in disagreement.
In recent times, the incendiary language used, irrespective of levels of education, is unbelievable! I stated in the 2017 article quoted above as follows;
“In an argument with a colleague some years back over a faux pas on his part, he shot at me, saying, “Look, you can take me out of the ghetto and give me a PhD, but you can never take the ghetto out of me!”
While not disagreeing with my colleague, I am convinced that no culture teaches former students to insult their teachers/professors, no matter the disagreement!” Indeed, one can disagree agreeably!
The perverse/visceral personal satisfaction aside, what is the gain in using vitriolic/incendiary language?
Are they happy to bequeath their children with such a legacy of foul/violent language?
Otherwise, assuming your teacher insults you, is insulting him/her back the best way of redressing a grievance?
For such insult-consultants, remember the biblical saying: Honour your father and mother so that you may live long! Exodus 20:12.
World War II veteran/author Dr Zig Ziglar stated that “it is your attitude, not your aptitude, which will determine your altitude!” Impressive letters before and after one’s name are not the most important determinants of one’s success in life, if what comes out of one’s mouth is vile language, Chinua Achebe describes as “heathen filth!”
I submit again that all future ministers/MPs/high-office-holders do a three-month military training before assuming office.
It is not for nothing that the Scandinavian countries, where military training is compulsory, have such disciplined/non-arrogant politicians who use decorous language.
Always remember, when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
But when I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me! 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV). For harsh words hurt both the victim and the perpetrator!
It is not for nothing that the Biblical injunction says, “Honour thy Father and Mother, so that thy days may be prolonged!” “Thy father” includes septuagenarian parents/grandparents like Emeritus Professor Ernest Aryeetey!
Finally, Prof. Gyeke taught us to convince others by the force of logic and not by the logic of force!
Leadership, lead by example/integrity! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up!
The writer is a former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association
Nairobi, Kenya; Council Chairman, Family Health University,
Teshie, Accra. E-mail: dkfrimpong@yahoo.com
