Amo (from Ghana)was the first african Philosopher and Professor in Germany.

The Mohrenstraße now bears the name Anton Wilhelm Amo Street. An overdue step. The old term was historically burdened, today unacceptable. With this renaming, not only is a colonial chapter critically marked, but also a new culture of remembrance becomes visible.

Who was Anton Wilhelm Amo?

Amo (1703–c.1759) was born in present-day Ghana, brought to Europe as a child, and placed at the court of the Dukes of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. He studied philosophy and law, earned a doctorate, and taught at the universities of Halle, Wittenberg, and Jena. Amo is considered the first Black university professor in Germany. His writings on human rights, reason, and equality before the law make him an early thinker against racism and oppression.

Why this matters:

With the new street name, Berlin honors a philosopher who stood for knowledge, enlightenment, and self-determination. At the same time, it becomes clear: language is not neutral, names are not random. A street tells history – and that history should not harm but rather remember and inspire.
The unveiling on August 23, the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade, was more than symbolism. It is a signal: Berlin no longer wants to gloss over the past but to confront it visibly.

Berlin makes it real.

• If we ask ourselves how remembrance works, here is a clear answer: uncomfortable words remain visible – but transformed.

• The decision shows: Berlin (and society) chooses what it honors. Why not philosophers instead of outdated references?

What happened here?

The new street name honors Anton Wilhelm Amo – it stands for knowledge, enlightenment, resistance to racism.
The renaming was decided in 2020, but legal challenges delayed its implementation. On July 8, 2025, the Higher Administrative Court finally ruled in favor of the change. New street signs were mounted on August 21, and the name was officially unveiled on August 23 – the day of remembrance of the transatlantic slave trade. The old street sign will remain visible for six months, crossed out in red. A symbolic reminder.

Sources:

https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/berliner-mohrenstrasse-umbenennung-100.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rbb24.de/panorama/beitrag/2025/08/berlin-mitte-mohrenstrasse-umbenennung-anton-wilhelm-amo-kolonialismus-interview-regina-roemhild-ethnologie.htm/alt=amp.html

https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/berlin-mohrenstrasse-nach-langem-streit-in-anton-wilhelm-amo-strasse-umbenannt-a-3e669440-eb6f-4423-9aa6-e86e86e87495

https://www.euroethno.hu-berlin.de/de/das-institut/faq-zur-umbenennung/anton-wilhelm-amo