On 1 October 2026 the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana convened to honour Emeritus Professor Kwame Akon Ninsin, a pillar of the department and a noted Nkrumahist, statesman and activist. The ceremony drew a full house of faculty, former students and civil society figures, including media freedom advocate Prof. Kwame Karikari and Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, founder of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG).
Former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye, a former student of Ninsin, recalled the “trinity” that shaped the department: Folson founded it, Kofi Drah nurtured it, and Ninsin became its emeritus. He praised Ninsin’s eye for talent and his drive to publish and grow the department, especially during the pivotal year of 1988.
Mr F. K. Drah, the department’s long‑time head, spoke of a friendship so deep that “people wondered who taught who.” He also highlighted Ninsin’s deliberate mentoring of women scholars such as Dr Beatrice Allah‑Mensah, Dr Maame Gyekye‑Johnson and Prof. Rosina Foli.
Provost of the College of Humanities Prof. Joseph Yaro summed up the department’s strength: “Political Science is one of the best departments in the University because men like Ninsin built it.”
Former Head of Department Prof. Kwame Boafo‑Arthur remembered Ninsin’s Marxist leanings and his insistence that “the course outline is your baby.” He urged students to think beyond the classroom, even advising Boafo‑Arthur to seek income‑generating assets, a suggestion that led the latter to work in Nigeria for a time.
Prof. Abeeku Essuman‑Johnson recalled Ninsin’s visits to his home when he missed classes due to travel, and Prof. Atsu Ayee noted their deep bond once Ninsin joined the department in his final year. Kwesi Jonah, who bridged the department and IDEG, described their relationship as father‑and‑son, sharing office hours and discussions that culminated in Ninsin’s last book, The Corrupt Elites: Anatomy of Power and Wealth in Ghana.
Tributes also highlighted Ninsin’s role as a public intellectual. Secretary to Cabinet Prof. S.K.B. Asante Boafo credited him with helping publish a controversial book on former President Rawlings, an act of academic freedom. Dr Emmanuel Akwetey recalled Ninsin’s alarm over state capture of Parliament and his 2007 paper that sparked a continent‑wide conference on elections.
Dr Mohammed Shardow, a former student and political scientist, reflected on his time as Ninsin’s last MPhil student, noting the professor’s rigorous standards and insistence on broadening research horizons. Shardow recalled Ninsin’s sharp critique of a concept note that “looked incestuous,” urging him to cite scholars beyond the department.
Despite his advanced age, Ninsin remained active until illness forced him to step back. The department and its students continue to carry forward his legacy of academic excellence, mentorship and a commitment to democratic values.
