We celebrate the life and legacy of our Comrade Justice Akuffo Henaku

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We celebrate the life and legacy of our Comrade Justice Akuffo Henaku

On 28 November 2022, the Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) and all Pan-African working-class organisations lost a genuine struggle stalwart, Justice Akuffo Henaku.

As the Director of the International Relations Department of the Socialist Movement Of Ghana, Justice was committed not only to building a vibrant socialist movement in Ghana but dedicated to the construction of a continental and international working-class movement, in the struggles against capitalism and imperialism. Justice was not only at the centre of pushing for the third Pan Africanism Today Conference to take place in Winneba, Ghana, in 2018 and to take the shape that it did, but he was also the head of the Organising Committee for the conference from SMG.

As a Standing Committee member of SMG, he was a driving engine for the growth of the organisation – from a forum to a movement. He spearheaded the formation and integration of relationships with working-class organisations throughout West Africa.

As a historian, Justice worked to shed light on the historical conjunctures that created the contemporary inequalities lived by the majority of people in Africa, as well as the historical resistance to these inequalities that informs our struggles today. In his words, “Imperialism must be fought and can only be fought if our people are made aware of [imperialism’s] inimical interests which are against the interests of the people”.

As an elder, Justice stood as a compassionate and kind mentor to young cadres from across the continent. As an activist, he never hesitated from calling out the injustices and corruptions of those who uphold the systems that oppress and exploit the majority, always acting in the interests of the poor, marginalised and exploited.

His passing is painful and his presence will be sorely missed. We can only honour his contributions by continuing to forge ahead with a clear commitment to hard work and internationalism as we collectively construct the just and equitable world he dedicated his life to building. Today and always, we celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves us to carry forward!

In solidarity,
Pan Africanism Today Secretariat