CAS-UEW Celebrates African Heritage and Knowledge Systems
The Centre for African Studies (CAS) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) held a durbar as part of its week-long celebration under the theme “Educating the Young African: Reclaiming African Knowledge Systems.”
The event, which took place at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on Friday, 1st August 2025, brought together academics, students, cultural performers and special guests, including a representative from UNESCO, in a compelling call to reconnect with Africa’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
Prof. Alfred Kuranchie, Head of CAS, highlighted the foundational role of the Centre in teaching, research and community service focused on African epistemology. He noted that the Centre has consistently championed courses in African and Liberal Studies to equip students with the cultural consciousness necessary for effective teaching and nation-building.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Edmond Moukala N’gouemo, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, challenged students to reclaim the narratives of Africa’s intellectual legacy which for centuries had been misrepresented or erased through colonial influence and Eurocentric education systems.
“Your ancestors possessed sophisticated systems of knowledge in fields from mathematics and medicine to astronomy and governance. This lecture is about rediscovering that brilliance,” he remarked.
Mr. Moukala also reflected on the UN’s Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), revealing that many Africans were unaware of this international framework aimed at promoting recognition, justice and development for people of African descent. He used examples of scientific and cultural advancements from pre-colonial Africa to debunk myths of African inferiority, stressing the importance of critical thinking in confronting historical biases.
Speaking as Chair of the occasion, Prof. Anselm Komla Abotsi, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Education at UEW, underscored the urgent need for African-centred education. “We must prepare our students not merely to know the continent but to transform it,” he declared. He further urged academics to champion curricula rooted in African philosophies and perspectives.
Prof. Abotsi reiterated the importance of critical thinking and African agency in shaping education and development. “Let us not simply follow how things have always been done. Let us think about how they can be done better, in our own way,” he said.
Adding to the academic depth of the occasion, Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, lauded the event’s theme, describing it as timely and necessary. “We are not resisting global knowledge. What we are doing is retelling the African story in our own way,” she said, encouraging students to take pride in their heritage and innovations.
A significant highlight of the programme was the launch of the Simpa Journal of African Studies by Prof. Lucy Effeh Attom, Dean of the newly established Faculty of Liberal and Social Studies Education. The journal, she noted, aims to publish research through “African lenses” and reflect issues from African communities within their cultural contexts. “This is a day of learning, remembering, and reclaiming,” she declared during the launch.
In a passionate plea, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, Finance Officer of UEW, addressed students on the need to maintain their academic standing by registering promptly and paying fees. “We are very serious about portal deactivations due to non-registration. Please take it seriously,” he warned.
The durbar featured traditional performances by students, showcasing Ghana’s rich cultural diversity.
The event was described as both a celebration and a call to action, urging the UEW community and young Africans across the continent to awaken, innovate, and educate Africa from within.
