President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has paid glowing tribute to the late Prime Minister of Ghana, Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, stressing that no African politician has had the far-sighted vision of Prof Busia and that Ghana and Africa have turned out to be the poorer, in the aftermath of his overthrow.
This, according to the President is because his rural development policies would have made giant strides for the economic development of Ghana. As well as his pioneering stance on multi-party democracy in Africa.
The President made these remarks at the launch of an audiobook in Accra, in memory of one of the pillars of democracy in Africa, and the founder of the UP political tradition in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo recalled Prof Busia’s pioneering efforts to propagate multi-party democracy, the rule of law and the guarantee of civil liberties on the African continent.
He said while his opponents were fearful of individual freedom, the Professor believed freedom was a great ally of progress.
The President touted the role of Prof. Busia in the history and the tradition of the New Patriotic Party, which believes that individual freedoms among other benefits, can stimulate enterprise, and innovation to spur rapid economic development.
He added that Prof. Busia dreamt of a Ghana at peace, prosperous and generous; a beacon of hope to Africa and the world, striding into the future with confidence, and knowledge that we are a nation of destiny and an example to all black peoples, and commended the author, Akosua Busia for the audiobook initiative.
The author, Prof. Abena Busia, a daughter of Prof. Busia, for her part, said the last week of August is always a special one for the Busia family, adding that the audiobook launch was an act of thanksgiving.
Madam Akosua Busia, Chairman of the Busia Foundation, who is also a daughter of Ghana’s former prime minister and a Hollywood actress, film director, author and songwriter, paid a homage and a brief tribute to Prof Busia on behalf of the family.
Bishop Dag Heward Mills who spoke on honouring mothers and fathers congratulated the family for this memorial gesture.
He used the occasion to eulogize Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo for commemorating the memory of Prof Busia and for their political roles in the lives of their adherents.
The late Prof Kofi Abrefa Busia was born on 11 July 1913 at Wenchi in the Bono Region and died in Oxford, England on 28 August 1978.
The audiobook titled ‘The Prof, A Heart of Faith, From poor boy to prime minister’ is a half a century of letters between Prof Kofi Busia and his friend, Rev William Whittle.
It was compiled and edited by Akosua Busia.
Dignitaries present include President John Agyekum Kufuor, Alan Kyeremanten, and some descendants of Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia, among others.
By: Isaac Clottey
