Higher education and the challenge of democracy

By Sharon Dell. Upon receiving an honorary degree from the University of Ghana in 2000, former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan said universities should become primary tools for Africa’s development – not only because they can help develop African expertise and enhance analysis of African problems, but because they could strengthen domestic institutions and serve as model environments for good governance, conflict resolution and respect for human rights. Are African universities living up to this challenge. More...