By Ewurabena Paha
Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye, says mediocrity in the country’s politics has defeated the purpose of democratic governance. Prof. Ocquaye said persons are no longer put in positions of authority based on their merits but on personal relationships.
Speaking as the Chairman of the 110th Birthday of Prime Minister, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, in Accra, Prof. Ocquaye mentioned former President John Kuffour and former Senior Minister J.H. Mensah as persons Dr. Busia mentored, and they exhibited exemplary leadership qualities which are lacking in the current political space.
He urged political leaders to learn from the style of Dr. Busia by ”developing talents to the benefit Ghana.”
Report PM ANNI
An array of politicians and academics attended the anniversary of Ghana’s former Prime Minister from 1969 to 1972, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia. Stories were told of the man who was the first African to have attended Oxford University in the UK. As a nationalist leader, Dr. Busia helped restore civilian government following military rule. His tenure was, however, cut short after only 27 months in office, an event former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Ocquaye described as the worst tragedy in the country’s political history.
Prof. Ocquaye said Dr. Busia was a leader whose leadership style and approach to addressing corruption were enviable and worthy of emulation.
Dr. Busia’s second daughter, Akosua, said her father had good intentions for Ghana.
Former President Kufuor who was represented by his special aid Dr Kwabena Osei Adubofour, said he was glad to have worked with Dr. Busia as his Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah, an Economist and Researcher at the University of Ghana, Dr George Donfeh, Dr Anane Adjei of the Busia Institute; and Boakye Agyarko, all eulogised Dr. Busia.
They urged the government to consider some of his ideas to propel development. Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia was born on July 11, 1913, in Wenchi, Bono Region. He attended Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Achimota School in Accra, and had further studies at various universities across the globe. He was overthrown by General I.K. Acheampong in 1972.