Ghana has commiserated with the family of late Cambridge University Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday following his death at the age of 41.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said President John Mahama has personally signed a letter of condolence to the bereaved family.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana will also be represented at Professor Arday’s funeral to pay its respects to the renowned academic, who was born to Ghanaian parents and became the youngest Black professor appointed by the University of Cambridge.
In a social media post on Friday, September 4, Mr Ablakwa said he had spoken with Professor Arday’s mother, Gifty Arday, to convey the government’s condolences.
“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,” he said.
Professor Arday, who was a Professor of Sociology of Education at Cambridge, had a remarkable academic journey.
He was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay as a child, did not speak until he was 11 and only learned to read and write at 18.
Despite those challenges, he obtained two master’s degrees and a PhD before rising to become a prominent scholar in sociology and education.
Professor Arday was appointed to Cambridge in 2023, becoming the university’s youngest Black professor.
However, the final weeks of his life were marked by intense scrutiny over allegations concerning plagiarism and aspects of his academic credentials.
Cambridge announced investigations into his qualifications and career, after which Professor Arday resigned from his position on August 5.
He was found unresponsive at his home in south London on August 14, nine days after his resignation.
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