International Center for Law and Religion Studies

The 16th Annual Conference of the International Society for African Philosophy and Studies (ISPAS) took place in The Great Hall of the University of Ghana in Legon on 17-19 March 2010.  The conference, "Culture and Justice in the Contemporary World," was organized in collaboration with the University of Ghana’s Philosophy Department and its Faculty of Law under the co-chairmanship of Professors Kofi Quashigah (Law) and Helen Lauer (Philosophy). The conference examined "the validity of international standards in our multicultural and diverse world," asking the question, "Is justice possible in a world where there are diverse standards, cultures, values and other socio-cultural norms?"  A plenary address at the conference was delivered by the Honourable Samia Nkrumah, Member of Parliament Jomoro Constituency, Ghana. The Keynote Speaker was Nana Dr. Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Stooled in Sekondi Central, Ghana.  The Olusegun Oladipo Memorial Lecture was delivered by Professor Kwesi Yankah, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana, and closing remarks were given by Professor Kofi Anyidoho, Kwame Nkrumah Chair in African Studies, University of Ghana. Among the many panel participants was Professor W. Cole Durham, Jr. of Brigham Young University, who addressed the topic "Defamation of Religion and the Philosophy of Human Rights."