The family of the late Prof. Assimeng with officials of UG inside the inaugurated library
The family of the late Prof. John Maxwell Assimeng has commissioned a memorial library in his honour at the University of Ghana’s (UG), Department of Sociology, where he thought for over 45 years.
The old library which was renovated and fitted with ultra modern equipment to meet the needs of students of the Department has been named after the late Professor for his contribution to the discipline.
The renovation was carried out by Prof. Assimeng’s wife and three children; Shirley Assimeng, Sylvia Assimeng, and Joycelyn Assimeng Dame, in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of his passing.
Prof. Assimeng was the head of the Department of Sociology at three different times; 1981-1982, 1988 to 1991, and from 1992 to 1997, accumulated period of headship for nine years, making him so far, the longest serving Head of Department in the 74 years existence of the Department.
The interior of the library block was renovated and fitted with modern furnish, new lighting, air conditioning, and new storage lockers for students.
The exterior of the entire library building and three other office spaces that are part of the library block were also renovated and repainted.
The renovated library was officially commissioned at a ceremony last Friday and attracted participants from the academia, government, faculty, students, family and friends.
Speaking at the commemoration, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, noted that the occasion was a testament to Prof. Assimeng’s enduring impact.
She explained that the University’s overarching goal is to achieve global excellence through innovative approaches to research, teaching, and learning, emphasising technology-driven and people-centered approaches.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the University’s readiness to collaborate with the Department of Sociology and pledged to take good care of the library and ensure its maintenance.
Head of the Department of Sociology, Prof. Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya, expressed his gratitude to the Assimeng family and donors for their steadfast commitment and support.
He said a plan is in place to ensure the library’s resources are accessible and available to those who deserve them, urging students to handle every item in the library with extra care to preserve the facility for future generations.
Prof. Anamzoya highlighted Prof. Assimeng’s contribution to the field, indicating that, “if there was ever an opportunity to posthumously award a sociologist in this department the position of Emeritus Professor, that sociologist, is Professor John Maxwell Assimeng.”
Professor Assimeng’s daughter, Dr. Jocelyn Assimeng Dame, who is the wife of Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, eulogised her late father, noting that he was more than a professor of sociology.
She said the late professor was, “a beacon of knowledge and kindness, who inspired countless students to dream big and strive for excellence.”
“Renovating this library has been a labour of love, a tribute to a man who believed education was the key to unlocking one’s potential and liberation from the shackles of poverty. We wanted to create a space that preserves his memory and serves as a sanctuary of knowledge and inspiration, just as he envisioned.
“This exercise is not only our commitment to the fulfillment of his vision, but also our little token of appreciation for the community in which we grew up and have lived for more than half of our respective lives. It is our quest to further his vision of a world where knowledge is accessible and ideas are exchanged freely,” Dr Jocelyn Assimeng Dame added.
Meanwhile, the family has established an academic award, ‘the Professor Maxwell Assimeng Best Female Student Award in Sociology’, to demonstrate the power of education and celebrate outstanding female students’ achievements.
An initial deposit of $2,000 has been made to the Council of Humanities to support the award for the next five years.
By Gibril Abdul Razak & Nafisatu Abdul Razak