Dr. Darkwa was a humanitarian and a pioneer, and his unique combination of traditional and technological experiences provided a very distinctive and valuable perspective at the College.

In November of 2021, as he was planning instruction for the spring semester, Dr. Osei Darkwa passed away unexpectedly.

Dr. Darkwa joined the College as a Visiting Associate Professor in January of 2020. He taught Critical Social Work in a Multicultural Society, Social Work Research, and Human Behavior and the Social Environment, and also provided consultation on the use of digital technology for instruction. During his time at JACSW he became known for his kind and unassuming demeanor. Yet his humility belied his many humanitarian accomplishments in his home country of Ghana.

He served for 10 years as the Founding President of Ghana Technology University College (GTUC). Darkwa also founded and was president of African Virtual Campus, which provided students access to online programs directly from a variety of academic institutions. Through these initiatives he helped expand access to quality higher education for people living in rural areas of Africa.

He researched and published extensively in the areas of telecommunication, telemedicine, and online education and curriculum development. He also worked and published in the areas of gerontology and the well-being of older populations, with an interest in how socioeconomic development may impact the role of elders in a society.

He was fascinated by the contrasts between traditional and industrialized societies, and the implications for traditional societies as they undertake socioeconomic development. Dr. Darkwa had observed that as agrarian societies become industrialized the culture is impacted, usually bringing disorganization of primary social institutions such as family. He was interested in the policy implications of such sociocultural transformation, especially the implications for the provision of elder care.

In his most recent research project, conducted with Dr. John Holton of the Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research, he examined elderly African Americans’ perception of COVID-19 and the challenges they faced during the pandemic.

A perhaps little-known aspect of Dr. Darkwa’s life was that he was a Ghanaian traditional ruler, Chief of Patriensa Traditional Area, a role which helped instill in him an abiding belief in community, teamwork, and the constructive and empowering use of technology to bring people together. In this capacity, he undertook social and economic development projects for the people living in his community, including the construction of a senior high school which enabled people to access secondary education. In its 10 years of operation, the school has produced a number of talented young people who have gone on to higher education.

“No one has a monopoly on ideas; we all have our own strengths and limitations and weaknesses. But once we come together we are able to achieve a better outcome for society.”

— Dr. Darkwa

He addressed transportation challenges for the community by donating over 2,000 bicycles to rural farmers and schoolteachers, and he purchased two tractors to reduce the necessity of walking and headloading farm produce. This humanitarian gesture earned him a nationwide nomination by MTN, one of the country’s major telecommunications companies, as one of 10 Heroes of Change. He also purchased an ambulance for the community health clinic.

Among the other honors and accolades received by Dr. Darkwa was a prestigious BID Quality Award, an international award recognizing organizations that are drivers of innovation, and a 2021 UIC Black History Maker Award, in recognition of his contributions to the UIC Black and African American community.

In a 2020 interview for Affirmations, Dr. Darkwa emphasized his belief in community and the power of collective action to bring about social transformation, saying, “No one has a monopoly on ideas; we all have our own strengths and limitations and weaknesses. But once we come together we are able to achieve a better outcome for society. I see this in my function as a chief. People say they think I am more understanding and accommodating as a chief, because I empathize and try to understand their issues. I want to empower them and find long-lasting solutions.”