The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama’s personal condolence message to the mother of the late former University of Cambridge professor, Jason Arday, has been delivered to Ghana’s High Commission in the United Kingdom for onward transmission to her.
President Mahama’s message follows the death of Arday, 41, whose final weeks were marked by intense public and media scrutiny over allegations concerning his academic work, qualifications and aspects of his personal biography.
His condolence message reflects the significance of Arday’s Ghanaian heritage, as the late academic was born in the United Kingdom to Ghanaian parents and was widely regarded as a source of pride and inspiration in his ancestral homeland.
Ablakwa conveyed Ghana’s solidarity with the family during a telephone conversation with Arday’s mother, Gift Arday, adding that the President’s personally signed condolence letter had been delivered to Ghana’s High Commission in the United Kingdom for onward transmission to her.
“I informed Mrs. Arday that President John Mahama commiserates with her family at this exceedingly difficult time and has personally signed a letter of condolence which is being delivered by our High Commissioner to the UK,” Ablakwa stated.
Arday resigned from his position as Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge and as a Fellow of Jesus College on August 5, after the university announced further investigations into allegations surrounding his academic career and appointment. He denied the plagiarism allegations but acknowledged mistakes and said the “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary” had taken a profound toll on him and those close to him.
Nine days after his resignation, Arday was found dead at his home in Battersea, south London. Police initially said his death was being treated as unexpected but was not believed to be suspicious, while a formal inquest into his death was subsequently opened.
Arday’s death triggered an outpouring of grief and solidarity across the United Kingdom and beyond, with academics, students, public figures and anti-racism campaigners paying tribute to his contribution to education and calling for reflection on the treatment of public figures subjected to sustained scrutiny.
His family, while mourning his death, criticised what they described as a campaign of misinformation and harassment against him. London Mayor Sadiq Khan similarly condemned what he described as an “unacceptable public hounding and campaign of abuse,” while urging reflection on the circumstances surrounding the intense public attention directed at the academic.
Prime Minister of UK, Andy Burnham also described Arday’s death as “a tragedy on so many levels,” saying the circumstances surrounding the case should prompt a period of reflection. His remarks echoed wider calls from academics and public figures for greater consideration of the human consequences of sustained public scrutiny.
A memorial vigil held in Trafalgar Square days after his death drew thousands of mourners, reflecting the profound impact Arday had made beyond academia. The gathering became a powerful display of solidarity, with mourners celebrating his life and legacy while raising concerns about racism, media treatment and the pressures faced by public figures.
The Foreign Minister further assured the family that Ghana would be represented at Arday’s funeral to pay its last respects to the late academic, whose distinguished career saw him rise to become the youngest Black person ever appointed to a professorship at the University of Cambridge.
Born in the United Kingdom to Ghanaian parents, Arday became one of Britain’s most prominent academics after overcoming significant challenges in his early life to build an exceptional academic career. He joined Cambridge in 2023 at the age of 37 as Professor of Sociology of Education, making history as the university’s youngest Black professor.
Ablakwa eulogised his scholarly achievements, describing the late professor as a source of pride and inspiration to Ghanaians both at home and abroad.
“Prof. Arday was a great source of pride and inspiration to Ghanaians in his ancestral home, and many across the world,” Ablakwa wrote in a social media post.
The Foreign Minister said Arday’s life and achievements would continue to inspire generations, particularly young people who saw in his journey a powerful example of resilience, determination and the transformative potential of education.
Related Posts
