Academics at the University of Ghana in the capital, Accra, launched an online campaign against the effigy soon after it was erected in 2016.

The group pointed to Gandhi’s use of racial slurs, and argued the tribute was a “slap in the face” as there were no statues of African leaders on the university campus.

The Ghanaian government said the statue would be relocated elsewhere in the country. The university said the ministry of foreign affairs and regional integration was responsible for the decision to pull down the statue.

Law student Nana Adoma Asare Adei told BBC News: “Having his statue means that we stand for everything he stands for and if he stands for these things [alleged racism], I don’t think we should have his statue on campus.”

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Gandhi became a symbol of non-violent political resistance around the world after he led India to independence from British colonial rule.

Yet his legacy on race relations has been challenged in recent years. In his early writings, while living in South Africa, he regularly used the denigrating term “Kaffir”. He also referred to black Africans as “savages”.

The lecturers objecting to the monument claimed Gandhi had been “uncharitable in his attitude to the black race” and questioned why the university chose to honour him over an African independence leader.

“If there should be statues on our campus, then, first and foremost, they should be of African heroes and heroines, who can serve as examples of who we are and what we have achieved as a people.”

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The row over Gandhi statues and racism has erupted elsewhere in Africa since the memorial was first unveiled in Ghana in June 2016 by India’s former president, Pranab Mukherjee.

Activists in South Africa have campaigned to have a Gandhi statue in Johannesburg removed using the hashtag #Gandhimustfall. Protesters in Malawi are also campaigning against plans to put up a Gandhi statue in the capital Blantyre over his writings.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4157479&forum_id=2#37420350)

University of Ghana Authorities on Thursday remove statue of India Independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi which dem mount for di school afta massive online protest by some lecturers who argue say Gandhi be racist.

Dem start plus online protest around 2016 wen former India former president Pranab Mukherjee outdoor am as global peace icon for University of Ghana campus top.

Di lecturers argue say some of Gandhi en writings dey suggest say Indians be "infinitely superior" to black Africans, so dem no want see en statue for campus.

Registrar for University of Ghana, Mercy Haizel-Aisha release press statement today inform di University say Ministry of Foreign Affairs remove di Gandhi statue from campus.

"We no fit have racist person statue for wana campus sake of he be racist, sake of statue be honourable thing, so if Gandhi be racist them en statue for the University go mean say we dey project den tins" Nana Adoma Asare Adei, one law student for University of Ghana campus, wey BBC Pidgin tok plus.

Dis exercise dey follow di Ministry of Foreign Affairs dema promise in 2016 say dem go relocate di statue after controversial start around am.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4157479&forum_id=2#37432783)