2008 Woodie Awards
Speaker to focus on Ghana constitution, government
Hannah Poturalski
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Campus
Miami University students will have a chance to learn about a constitution that is not their own when Kwasi Prempeh, associate professor of law at Seton Hall University School of Law in New Jersey, comes to campus Oct. 16. He will be speaking about constitutionalism in his home country of Ghana and the challenges that it continues to face at 7 p.m. in 100 Laws Hall.
His speech, "Constitutionalism and Constitutional Challenges in Ghana," is part of the lecture series, A Celebration of African Independence and Black Liberation.
According to the director of black world studies program at Miami, Cyril Daddieh, Ghana is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence, an important milestone for the country and continent alike.
"Every country has a constitution, but not every country has constitutionalism, which is vital in making sure that the government acknowledges its limits and does not abuse its power," Daddieh said.
He said Prempeh will speak on the importance of constitutional law becoming entrenched and routine in Africa. It is fundamental that the democratic governance not break down in Africa. Ghana continues to be the flag bearer of African independence and leads by example because it was one of the first countries in Africa to declare its independence.
"Professor Prempeh is an expert on constitutional law and teaches it very well," Daddieh said.
Prempeh had schooling in Ghana before coming to the United States to attend Yale Law School. Daddieh added that Prempeh has also written many articles on the transition to democracy in Africa.
Daddieh said Prempeh has worked as a transactional associate and an associate of antitrust and general litigation at law firms in Washington D.C. He is very involved with U.S. Constitutional law and has interest in comparative constitutional design.
Daddieh said Ghana was a leading figure in liberating Africa and making it a democratic continent.
"It is important that the students at Miami learn about Ghana's achievements, as well as its challenges after 50 years of independence," Daddieh said. "Ghana also played an important role in America's civil rights."
Kioko Ireri, a graduate student in mass communication and originally from Kenya, talked about the democratic gains made in the last 10 years in Africa.
"The gains can be undermined by many factors, such as war, lack of civic education and tribalism," Ireri said.
He added that Africa has a growing democracies and it is crucial that its citizens be educated on the issues. A lot of the tribes in Africa focus on the tribal life of party candidates instead of their capabilities as a leader.
"In Africa there are many political parties in each country as opposed to a one party system here in the U.S.," Ireri said.
Arriving Monday afternoon, Prempeh will be having lunch with students interested in law school. He will also visit a political science class and a constitutional African politics class.
His speech, "Constitutionalism and Constitutional Challenges in Ghana," is part of the lecture series, A Celebration of African Independence and Black Liberation.
According to the director of black world studies program at Miami, Cyril Daddieh, Ghana is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence, an important milestone for the country and continent alike.
"Every country has a constitution, but not every country has constitutionalism, which is vital in making sure that the government acknowledges its limits and does not abuse its power," Daddieh said.
He said Prempeh will speak on the importance of constitutional law becoming entrenched and routine in Africa. It is fundamental that the democratic governance not break down in Africa. Ghana continues to be the flag bearer of African independence and leads by example because it was one of the first countries in Africa to declare its independence.
"Professor Prempeh is an expert on constitutional law and teaches it very well," Daddieh said.
Prempeh had schooling in Ghana before coming to the United States to attend Yale Law School. Daddieh added that Prempeh has also written many articles on the transition to democracy in Africa.
Daddieh said Prempeh has worked as a transactional associate and an associate of antitrust and general litigation at law firms in Washington D.C. He is very involved with U.S. Constitutional law and has interest in comparative constitutional design.
Daddieh said Ghana was a leading figure in liberating Africa and making it a democratic continent.
"It is important that the students at Miami learn about Ghana's achievements, as well as its challenges after 50 years of independence," Daddieh said. "Ghana also played an important role in America's civil rights."
Kioko Ireri, a graduate student in mass communication and originally from Kenya, talked about the democratic gains made in the last 10 years in Africa.
"The gains can be undermined by many factors, such as war, lack of civic education and tribalism," Ireri said.
He added that Africa has a growing democracies and it is crucial that its citizens be educated on the issues. A lot of the tribes in Africa focus on the tribal life of party candidates instead of their capabilities as a leader.
"In Africa there are many political parties in each country as opposed to a one party system here in the U.S.," Ireri said.
Arriving Monday afternoon, Prempeh will be having lunch with students interested in law school. He will also visit a political science class and a constitutional African politics class.
Be the first to comment on this story