
In 2017 Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey’s picture was featured on the five cedis note of Ghana’s currency in honor of his educational contributions
Don’t tell me what you know, show me what you can do.
On Sunday my pastor used that quote in his sermon. Its wisdom can be attributed to Dr. James Emman Kwegyir- Aggrey a turn of the century educational philosopher from Ghana. He obtained numerous degrees from American universities, was an educational consultant in many African countries and in the last years of his life served as the vice principal of a college in the Ghanian capital of Accra.
Checking out Dr. Kwegyir-Aggrey’s impressive biography on various sites led me to a number of other quotes of his that were thought-provoking.
About racial harmony he said…………If you play only the white notes on a piano you get only sharps; if only the black keys you get flats; but if you play the two together you get harmony and beautiful music.
On education for women he said…… The surest way to keep a people down is to educate the men and neglect the women. If you educate a man you simply educate an individual. If you educate a woman you educate a family.
On getting along with others he said….. If someone scowls at me I smile back. If they scowl again I just smile back. I don’t often find a scowl a third time.
On contemplating one’s future he said……Be patient, don’t lose heart, don’t hate anybody and make yourself worthy of good things
Dr. Kwegyir-Aggrey died in 1927 but his advice seems very timely some ninety years later.
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