Professor of African American Studies Yakubu Saaka, 1945-2008

The Oberlin College community will celebrate the life and extraordinary career of Professor of African American Studies Yakubu Saaka with a series of programs during the afternoon and evening of Saturday, September 13, 2008. A member of the Oberlin family for 36 years, Professor Saaka died Sunday, August 31, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The celebration of the life of Professor Saaka will begin at noon with a luncheon at Afrikan Heritage House, located at 126 Forest Street. At 1:30 p.m. there will be a procession to Warner Concert Hall in the Conservatory of Music, 77 West College Street, where a formal celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. The celebration will continue at 6 p.m. with a dinner and testimonial at the home of the Saaka family at 265 West Lincoln Street.

A specialist in African politics, Professor Saaka excelled as a scholar, teacher, and advisor. During a sabbatical leave from the College, he served in Ghana’s Third Republic as a member of Parliament, as Deputy Foreign Minister, and as a United Nations ambassador. Professor Saaka recently renewed his commitment to Ghanaian national politics, declaring his intent last year to run for president in the 2008 elections.

In honor of his service, flags in Ghana have been ordered to be flown at half-staff.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Yakubu Saaka Scholarship Fund at Oberlin College, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Oberlin College, Bosworth Hall, 50 West Lorain Street, Oberlin, Ohio, 44074. For additional information, contact Yeworkwha Belachew at