Kwabena Agyeman Britwum completed his Bachelor's Degree in 1960, and his Master's Degree in African History in 1965 - both at the University of Ghana, Legon. He joined the staff of the department of History of the University of Cape Coast in October 1965 as a lecturer. On study leave granted by the University of Cape Coast, he earned a second Master's Degree in European History in 1968; King's College at the University of London.
He was appointed Hall Master (the position at the time was named Senior Hall Tutor) in 1973. The "Khan Walkway", named after his predecessor in office, was constructed during his term in office.
He was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in 1976. The following year he won a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship, as a foreign Consultant in Africa Area Studies tenable at Georgia University in Albany, USA. He worked to establish for that University the African Studies Department in History, Geography and Political Science.
He returned to the University of Cape Coast in 1978 and worked until 1981 when he took a voluntary retirement to be able to accept a Senior Lectureship at the Ahmadu Bello Unversity in Zaria, Nigeria until 1990.
On his return to Ghana, Kwabena Agyeman was a Senior Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as first Head and then Vice Dean of the Faculty of General and African Studies until his retirement in 1996.
Kwabena Agyeman Britwum's major research area was early history of the Gyaaman State of the Brong Ahafo Region. His output in the area does get cited, not least by luminaries such as Ivor Wilks. He participated in a number of Seminars, Conferences and Workshops both at home and abroad.
Committees on which he served outside of those of the University included the International Committee on Monuments and Sites under the auspices of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, and the Committee on Oral Traditions, a sub-Committee of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science.
Kwabena Agyeman Britwum was one of the very early Ghanaian academics recruited to develop solid grounding for the University of Cape Coast. The University of Cape Coast expresses her gratitude for his contribution to the work of the University.
The University of Cape Coast mourns with his family his disapperance and is, also proud to pay him homage for his part in the pioneering work of the University.
When the day of toil is done, when the race of life is run, Father grant thy wearied one rest in thy bosom.
The New Patriotic Party, with sunken hearts, mourns officially today the disappearance of a devoted colleague, Activist, friend, Kwabena Agyeman Britwum.
Kwabena Agyeman Britwum's attraction to politics and commitment to the ideals of the Danquah/Busia Tradition date way back to the 1950s. These were his student years at Wesley College which saw him join the Youth Wing of the National Liberation Movement. The 1960s found him as a student at the University of Ghana, Legon, still immersed in the activities of the National Liberation Movement.
Throughout the years of the ban on party political activities, Kwabena Agyeman kept his contact with leading members the Danquah/Busia Tradition, including personalities like Professors Kweku Folson, Kofi Agyeman, John Fynn, Messrs S.A. Afreh, Appiah Menka and E.O. Gyamfi. These featured too as members of the Friday Club which worked to heal the cracks in the UP Tradition.
With the coming into being of the 1992 Constitution and the lifting of the ban on Party politics, Kwabena Agyeman was active as a frontline member in the founding of the New Patroitic Party. Between 1995 and 1997, he served as the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Party, with Dr. Kwame Donkor Fordjour as Chairman. Until his demise, he was a member of the Ashanti Regional Council of Elders chaired by Mr. Appiah Menka.
Kwabena Agyeman carried to thinking within the New Patroitic Party, and to the Party exertions in various domains, his experience as a Teacher, a Historian, a Researcher, an Academic. Results generated therefrom have generally been esteemed invaluable. The Party is much poorer for having lost a thoughtful activist, a couragous defender of ideals, and a personality unbending in his application of principles.
We keep his memory as a source feeding the reslove of all who share the ideals of the New Patroitic Party, fashioned to drive our nation, Africa and indeed the rest of humanity towards a future that does not stop getting better.
Kwabena Agyeman Britwum:
The New Patriotic Party salutes you!
The New Patriotic Party bids you farewell!
The New Patriotic Party wishes your soul a peaceful rest! Amen
Kwabena Agyeman Britwum joined Bethel Methodist Churh in the 1980s when he returned form Nigeria. He was a member of Mr. B.F. Anyan's Class which always met on Thursdays, so the Class used to be called Thursday Class.
In 1987, Rev. B.K. Asare made Kwabena Agyeman a Leader, though not a Class Leader or Organisational Representative, but because of his background and contribution to educational and economic issues.
Kwabena Agyeman was a staunch member of the Men's Fellowship. Due to his love for music, he voluntarily became a patron of the Church Choir and helped the Choir with his substance and ideas. He donated a Hymn Board to the Church.
Socially, Kwabena Agyeman showed a strong and confident personality. He was affable, friendly and easy to talk to. In fact, anyone who came into contact with Kwabena Agyeman benefitted in one way or the other.
Even when he retired from active work as a Lecturer, he continued to contribute to the growth and development of the Church. In moments of incapacitation, he had, on demand, his fair share of the Holy Communion.
We least expected his demise at this time but we take consolation in the fact that his maker loves him more than we do.
The Church has lost a dedicated member, but we can only conclude by extending our deep condolence to his children, his family, friends and sympathisers.
Kwabena Agyeman, "Da Yie, Nyame mfa wo nsie nkosi se yebehyia biom"
AMEN!!
