John Meets John

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, on Thursday came fact to face with President John Agyekum Kufour in Kumasi, several months after his controversial Boom-Positive Defiance speech in the NPP stronghold.

The Mourners

The meeting was at the burial and memorial service held for the late Baafour Osei Yaw Akoto, the Asantehene’s Chief Linguist. It took place at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Kumasi. The service, which was solemn, attracted both the cream de-la cream as well as the low in society. It all started at the St Peter’s Cathedral where the church service which began at 3:00 pm. Amongst the mourners, was the former president who has not been seen in public for some time now. As Kufour entered the cathedral, Rawlings and the other worshippers stood up to acknowledge the presence of the President of the Republic of Ghana.

Rawlings Greets Kufour

Later, former President Rawlings was invited by the master of ceremonies to address the congregation, but this attracted strong murmurs form the congregation, to which sentiments the MC beat a fast retreat, and instead asked the former President to greet the Asantehene and the President. Rawlings at the stage got up to greet Asantehene and then walked up to the front pew to shake hands with President, J.A. Kufour. It was quite an infectious moment since it is perceived that the two were not the best of friends.

Kufour Greets Rawlings

His mother, Madam Agbotui and his aide and special assistant, Mr Victor Smith, accompanied Jerry Rawlings. After the church service, President Kufour, outside the Cathedral also moved to greet the former president as well as former finance Minister, Mr Kwame Peprah, who also accompanied him.

Government Delegation

The President attended the funeral at the head of a high-powered delegation including members of the Council of State, Ministers of State and functionaries as well as representatives of other political parties. Members of government delegation included Hon. Nana Akufo Addo, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Osei Kwaku, Youth and Sports Minister, Ms Elizabeth Ohene Minister of State and certain Member of Parliament.

The late Baafour Akoto

The late Baafour Akoto was born to Nana Akosua Apea and Kofi Owusu Sekyere of Heman in 1904. He was the direct descendant of Asantehene Osei Bonsu. He trained as a mechanic and worked with F & A Swanzy Company (transport section). He was chosen by Nana Sir Agyeman Prempeh II, as a senior linguist to the Asante-kingship in 1935, a position he held until his death. He occupied this office for 68 years.

He combined his role as a traditionalist with national politics in the early 1950s. He contributed to the formation of the National Liberation Movement (NLM), the main opposition party of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s, Party (CPP), which he led. He contributed, advocated and propelled the establishment of democracy in the country. He was among prominent politicians who opposed the dictatorial rule of the Nkrumah Government. He fought along side Dr. J.B. Danquah of Kyebi to oppose Nkrumah’s authoritarian rule.