Allegations of Historical Distortion by Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye Examined
Yaw Anokye Frimpong has accused Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye of distorting Ghanaian history during his lectures, citing frequent conflicts in class due to Oquaye’s political biases. Frimpong highlighted specific examples, including inaccuracies regarding the funding of Kwame Nkrumah’s return to Ghana. In response, Oquaye asserted that freedom and democracy in Ghana are largely attributed to the New Patriotic Party and criticized Nkrumah’s human rights record.
Historian and lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong has accused Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Parliament, of distorting historical facts during his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Ghana. Frimpong, a former student of Prof. Oquaye in Political Science, noted that the professor’s political biases often led to turmoil in his classes, impacting the learning environment.
In an interview with Onua TV on March 10, 2025, Frimpong alleged that Prof. Oquaye frequently misrepresented historical events to suit his political narrative, which caused disagreements among students who were knowledgeable about Ghana’s history. Frimpong 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.”
Frimpong also accused Prof. Oquaye of misrepresenting the contributions of George Alfred ‘Paa’ Grant, who financed Kwame Nkrumah’s return to the country. According to Frimpong, while the £100 used to bring Nkrumah back was from Paa Grant, Prof. Oquaye incorrectly claimed it was JB Danquah, despite Danquah’s financial limitations. Frimpong expressed, “I know Mike Oquaye very well; he doesn’t like Nkrumah.”
In contrast, Prof. Oquaye asserts that Ghanaians owe their freedom and democracy to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). At a mentorship event marking the 77th anniversary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), he emphasized the significant role of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition in promoting human rights within Ghana’s constitutional framework. He criticized Nkrumah’s administration for neglecting human rights, asserting that it was under the NPP that Ghana experienced substantial constitutional progress.
Prof. Oquaye remarked on Nkrumah’s oppressive policies, stating, “Under Nkrumah, you could be detained almost indefinitely… Nkrumah is celebrated as a hero today, yet he introduced such oppressive policies against Ghanaians. It’s a contradiction.” He concluded by asserting that recognizing the role of the NPP is essential for appreciating Ghana’s history and advancements in freedom.
This article presents accusations from historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong against Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye for allegedly distorting historical facts in the academic setting. It contrasts Frimpong’s claims with Oquaye’s assertion that the NPP greatly contributed to Ghana’s democracy and human rights. The dialogue underscores the ongoing debate regarding the portrayal of historical figures, particularly Kwame Nkrumah, and the significance of political narratives in shaping educational discourse.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
