Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has paid tribute to the late Professor Jason Arday at a memorial service in the United Kingdom, recalling the academic’s achievements.

In a statement shared after the service in Southwark on October 20, 2026, Ablakwa said he joined Arday’s family, members of the Ghanaian community, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, British MPs and ministers, the Mayor of London, Cambridge scholars, students and other loved ones to honour his memory.

He described the service as a moving occasion and said Arday’s achievements, including his appointment as the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, would continue to inspire generations.

Ablakwa also pointed out the late academic’s charitable contributions, saying the government and people of Ghana would continue to stand by Ghanaians wherever they lived.

"The Government and People of Ghana will continue to stand by our compatriots everywhere they are in the world. As we do so, we profess our commitment to justice, equality and the creation of a new world", he wrote.

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He added, "We shall always remember Prof. Arday for his response when asked what he will wish to do to change the world: “I would take a thread and a needle, and I'd interweave love into our society.”

He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to justice, equality and the creation of what he described as a new world.

Arday, a British sociologist and Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, died on August 14, 2026, at age 41 in south London, nine days after resigning from the University of Cambridge amid plagiarism allegations.

See the post below:

A deeply moving and unforgettable service in honour of the memory of Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday in Southwark, UK.

In keeping with our pledge, last night, I joined the family of the departed Prof. Arday, the Ghanaian community, our High Commissioner in London, British MPs, Ministers, Mayor of London, Cambridge scholars and Prof’s students and loved ones to pay our respects and honour his inspiring legacy.

Jason Arday’s accomplishments as the youngest Black professor appointed at the University of Cambridge and his widely appreciated charitable contributions will continue to inspire generations.

The Government and People of Ghana will continue to stand by our compatriots everywhere they are in the world. As we do so, we profess our commitment to justice, equality and the creation of a new world.

May the Good Lord grant his family fortitude in this extraordinarily difficult time.

We shall always remember Prof. Arday for his response when asked what he will wish to do to change the world: “I would take a thread and a needle, and I'd interweave love into our society.”

For God and Country 🇬🇭 🙏🏾

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) October 20, 2026