Dr Bawumia paying complimen t to ex-President Kufuor at the book launch
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor last Wednesday held back emotional tears as he delivered a speech during the book launch of the late Prime Minister, Prof. Kwasi Abrefa Busia, the man who appointed him as a deputy minister of foreign affairs when he was 27.
The book launch of the country’s Prime Minister from 1969 to January 1972 expectedly attracted the cream of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the forebear of the United Party (UP) and later Progress Party (PP) – the latter being the party which shot Prof. Busia to power in 1969.
Former President Kufuor recounted the circumstances under which Prof. Busia’s government which lasted two years three months was overthrown in a 1972 coup d’état.
During his 15-month incarceration at the Ussher Fort Prison, he said he wondered why the government of such a knowledgeable personality would be overthrown.
Recalling the sterling qualities of the late Prof. Busia, he said he was ingrained with traditional values and believed in each person being their neighbour’s keeper. Besides he believed in the principles of democracy and social interventions.
President Kufuor who was full of nostalgia said, “Literally, he chose and nurtured me to become what I have become. From hindsight, I feel compelled to say that the man must have been a prophet.”
“It was after his overthrow that I said to myself that whatever it would take, I will stay in politics till God gave me the chance to fulfill what Busia foresaw in me,” he revealed.
The 400 paged book, “K. A. Busia: A Symbol of Democracy” in nine chapters, was authored by Anane Agyei, a strategic communication specialist.
Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who launched the book, said the place of Prof. Busia as a key figure in the modern political history of Africa was cemented when he became the first African South of the Sahara to be a parliamentary opposition leader in an independent African state.
“He was a champion of democracy, lover of free speech and a key proponent of respect for human life,” he said.
He described him as a repository of knowledge and an expert in governance issues whose contribution was crucial in drafting the country’s independence constitution.
“Busia was not just an intellectual. He was an intellectual’s intellectual. When we were growing up, his intellectual prowess was something legendary and in primary school when you say Busia, you will hear ‘Best University Student In Africa,” the Vice-President said.
Dignitaries present at the event included Chief of Staff, Frema Osei-Opare; Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay and Omanhene of Suma Traditional Area, Odeneho Affram Brempon III, who chaired the event, among many others. The book was unveiled by Ama Busia, sister of Prof. Busia.
By Issah Mohammed