At 86, Madam Amma Bame Busia has joined the rather few Ghanaians who have bothered to compose the story of their lives, the launching of which book “The Bittersweet Pill Of Politics” was done last Wednesday at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra.
The colourful event had a wide array of personalities gracing it, notable among who were former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Madam Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his spouse Hajia Samira Bawumia among others.
At her age, Madam Amma Busia saw under her own eyes pre and post independence politics in the Gold Coast and Ghana. Indeed having part of the dramatic events, the ups and downs which constituted the heading of the book, the stateswoman presented a new approach to politics as she ensured that the invited list had personalities from the other side of the political aisle.
Her wish for a politics devoid of enmity was clearly showed when in her brief speech she encouraged young politicians to remain focused and not to regard political opponents as enemies.
Prominent among non-NPP personalities at the social activity was Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who bore the message of the latter.
The former President’s love for women to be accorded the opportunity to also contribute their quota in nation-building was vividly contained in his speech. He charged women to emulate the achievements of Madam Amma Busia.
In launching the book, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia paid tributes to Madam Amma Busia whom he described as his mother. He particularly highlighted the incessant words of admonitions he received from the lady.
Dr. Bawumia recalled in his remarks how while in Canada for his PhD he met a man who happened to be a student of the late Prime Minister K.A. Busia, Madam Amma Busia’s brother.
As Chairman of the event, former President John Agyekum Kufuor took his attentive audience through an interesting journey in the history of his academic life and his association with the author’s brother, and how the late former Prime Minister played a major role in his political career.
He described the occasion as not being only a book launch but a political event, pointing at the presence of the running mate to the former President John Mahama. This, he said, is how politics should be from now on.
President Akufo-Addo, who was in Doha, Qatar for the Black Stars’ opening match against Portugal, sent his goodwill message virtually. He opened the auction with the purchase of 100 copies at GH¢100,000 for distribution to public libraries across the country.
Madam Elizabeth Ohene, veteran journalist of both Daily Graphic and BBC fame did a wonderful review of the publication that she was able to hold her audience attentive until she was done.
The book is a story about the political life of the author and by extension the country’s history, the exile of her brother, his return after a coup to become a Prime Minister and then another coup including the ordeals she endured at the hands of soldiers, et al.
Also buying the publication during the auction phase of the programme were the Vice President, former President John Mahama, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei Opare among others.
Part of the proceeds from the book auction would be used to support the Methodist Hospital in Wenchi, the author has announced.
By A.R. Gomda