Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minster of the Second Republic, who was overthrown by the military, led by then Colonel Kutu Acheampong on January 13, 1972, and died six years later in 1978, came alive at Sunyani, capital of the Bono Region, at the weekend.
At a forum to remember the greatest academic to ascend to Government House as Prime Minister of the Republic of Ghana, speaker after speaker spoke warmly of the Royal from Wenchi, who made rural development the cornerstone of his administration.
The praise signing was led the Gentle Giant, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who, at 30 years, was elevated to become the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Second Republican administration, led by Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia. “Today is a very great day, I believe, in the annals of our nation Ghana,” Mr. Kufuor told the audience celebrating the life of the one-time Prime Minister, at a forum organised at the Eusbett International Hotel in Sunyani at the weekend, via video link.
Mr. Kufuor said the event in Sunyani celebrating the life and achievements of the man who rose from the Ivory Tower to become the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ghana in October 1969, was a tumultuous occasion for all lovers of democracy.
“It was in his administration that I cut my political teeth. I was elected to Parliament in 1969 on the ticket of his party -the Progress Party- at the tender age of 30. In spite of my youthfulness, he appointed me Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of our nation.”
The former President told his audience that Dr. Busia’s concept of democratic governance, wealth creation, and the need to open up the rural areas to development, were the underpinning of all social developments. “The state’s role, to him, was to create the enlightened framework within which the citizenry will develop the wealth to develop their societies economically. Through this concept, individuals are able to hold their governments to account, fairly and legitimately within the rule of law.” Mr. Kufuor encouraged the youth to learn from the life and works of Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia
Mr. Kofi Kumah, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, told the audience that many prominent people from the two Brong regions were inspired by Prof. Busia, as they climbed the academic ladder.
“Exactly 52 years ago in 1969, the world witnesses a very colourful and historic event in Ghana – the inauguration of the Government of the Second Republic, led by Prime Minister Dr. K.A. Busia, following the landslide victory of his Progress Party in the elections, winning 105 of the then 140 seats in Parliament, as per the 1969 Constitutional arrangements. Ghana adopted a Parliamentary system of administration, with an Executive Prime Minister and a ceremonial President.
To the deputy Foreign Minister, President Kufuor’s ‘Golden Age of Business’ was a continuation of the Busia era, which was a commitment to provide jobs for the youth, which all ties in with current President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s commitment to a ‘Ghana Beyond Aid.’
Speaking on the topic ‘Fixing the Nation, the need for a paradigm shift’, the Deputy Finance Minister said unlike the olden days when the population was not that big, and when companies went out of their way to woo the youth for immediate employmentright from school and colleges, the new trend in Ghana, and across the globe, is to encourage and empower young people to create wealth by solving problems.
“I wish to encourage my fellow young Ghanaians, to be guided by the values and principles that the Founders of our country espoused. These include integrity and service. One of the ways that guarantees sustained development at the individual and national levels is sincere service in integrity. As young people, let us not rush into doing things that are at variance with our age-old principles and values. Let us embrace sincerity, diligence and patriotism, and always aim at giving our utmost.”
Mr. Kumah ended his speech by quoting one of Prof. Busia’s axioms recorded in a book written by Mr. Anane Agyei, Chief Executive of the Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development, the organisation that put the package in Sunyani together. “You who are young have the exciting chance to build a better society, to leave the world better than you find it today.”
Prof. Busia, from the Royal House of Wenchi, could not be effectively celebrated without a royal touch, which was provided by Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, Omanhene of the Drobo Traditional Area and Vice-President of the Bono House of Chiefs.
Nana set the tone by telling his audience that as chiefs, they appreciated it better when a son or daughter of the soil goes out there to bring honours to the land, and the country as a whole, and that throughout the generations, no one had brought more honours than Prof. Busia. “His exploits in academia and politics set the standard for others who may tread those parts. His was the politics of decency and respect for others, including opponents.”
He brought an ominous message from Nananom to politicians to watch their tongues. “Nananom will like to warn all politicians to watch their utterances and speak to unite and not to divide. We want to encourage the politics of decency in debates ad expressions of ideas and opinions.
“As we celebrate Dr. Busia, let us all reflect on what we also can do to enhance our society for the benefit of the present generation and posterity such that in future, we shall be remembered by our works and words,” Nana Sakyi Ako advised.
Source: thechronicleonline.com.gh