Gandhi, a lawyer, traveled to South Africa in 1893 and stayed for two decades, fighting to expand rights for Indians there. The petition quotes writings from that period in which he refers to black South Africans as savages.
At the same time, Gandhi’s approach of nonviolent protest influenced the African National Congress and its resistance to white minority rule.
“While acknowledging that human as he was, Mahatma Gandhi may have had his flaws, we must remember that people evolve,” Ghana’s statement said. “He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.”
The statement also expressed concern that the professors’ campaign could harm Ghana’s ties to India.
The professors say the university instead should feature statues of local heroes like Yaa Asantewaa, who led a rebellion against British colonialism, or Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president.
(Sourced from agencies, feature image courtesy:economictimes.indiatimes.com)
