Why Ghana blaze trail in African politics – Fayemi

Ghana’s credentials as the bastion of democracy in the continent have been credited to the engagement of its intellectuals in competitive politics.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi made the remarks while speaking on the theme, “Intellectuals in Politics and Governance: Lessons and Legacy of Professor John Evans Atta Mills” at the 3rd Annual Atta Mills Memorial Lecture held at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra.

He said idea-driven politics that has been enshrined in Ghana’s political culture.

Fayemi also affirmed that the synergy between the string of intellectual politicians and civil society watchdogs had deepened the country’s democratic culture.

“The candour of former President John Kufuor, the extraordinary calm exhibited by both Professor Atta Mills and Nana Akufo-Addo and the widespread credibility of Dr. Kojo Afari-Gyan, the recently retired election chief, were all not unconnected to their intellectual pedigree,’ he declared.

Alluding to the profiles of the civilian leadership, Fayemi cited Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah and his streak of outstanding intellectual successors till date.

He cited Edward Akuffo-Addo, Professor K.A Busia, Dr. Hilla Limann, John Kufuor, the late Professor John Atta-Mills and incumbent President John Mahama as erudite scholars.

The former governor argued that though being a distinctive intellectual did not necessarily translate to excellence in governance, but the hybrid of the intelligentsia and political jobbers would enrich the African political culture as exemplified by the success in Ghana.