The Honourable Vincent Cyril Richard Arthur Charles Crabbe, eminent Ghanaian jurist, former justice of the Supreme Court and Consultant, office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, has stated that the constitution expects those who govern to control themselves. He added that the constitution was not for the benefit of those in power because power was not given for its own sake. Upholding the constitution therefore was the responsibility of all citizens.  Hon. Justice VCRAC Crabbe made these statements at the 8th RP Baffour Memorial Lectures organised by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on the theme “Thoughts on the 1992 Constitution”.  He was delivering the first lecture in the series on the topic “The Nature of Constitutions – Language of the Constitution and Abuse of Power” at the auditorium of the KNUST School of Business.

The 8th RP Baffour Memorial Lectures, organised under the corporate sponsorship of Ecobank Ghana Limited, started from 25th November and is expected to end on 29th November, 2013.

Justice VCRAC Crabbe advised politicians to respect the provisions of the constitution saying “Our actions today will determine our future. Today is the tomorrow of yesterday. The constitution therefore is a never ending process”.

Justice Crabbe urged democracies to respect human lives, fundamental human rights, democratic freedom and empower people to pursue dignity. He continued that human rights did not depend on election results but dignity and respect would help complement and save human rights.  He said that freedom ensured legitimacy of human rights.

Touching on elections, he said a successful election did not indicate a successful democracy and that when corrupt people lead a country, it does the country no good. He therefore used the occasion to advise politicians to be responsible and accountable to the people saying “Democracy is not a cure to the problems of countries”.

Honourable Fritz Baffour, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Constituency who is the son of the late RP Baffour thanked the management of the University for honouring his father while he was alive by instituting a memorial lecture in his name.  He said the family and the University celebrates his passion and dedication to quality education and national development.

Professor William Otoo Ellis, the Vice Chancellor, thanked the University community, the judiciary and all who took part in the lectures. He commended the organizing committee for a successful event.

The R.P Baffour Memorial Lectures was instituted by the Council of the University in 1997 to honour its first Ghanaian Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his sound   leadership and immense contribution to the physical development and growth of the University.

Dr. Robert Patrick Baffour was born on May,14 1912 at Elmina near Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. He was educated at Mfantsipim School from 1926 to 1930 and was the first student admitted to the newly established Engineering School at Achimota in August 1931. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1960, he became the Principal of the Kumai College of Technology. On October 1, 1961, he became the first Vice-Chancellor when the College was elevated to a University status.