Kufuor: Best President In Ghana's Fourth Republic

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KOLA, LONDON MAIN 12 years ago

Where did you schooled you call people names? Do you live in a shark you are using this as a escapegoat to hide your inferiority complex?

Where did you schooled you call people names? Do you live in a shark you are using this as a escapegoat to hide your inferiority complex?
PRINCE KWASI ADADE 12 years ago

AUTHOR : WOMANS WISDOM-------------*******You can say whatever you want about ex president Kuffour but I can tell you with all sincerity that president Kuffour is the best among all the past governments because he made a whol ...
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AUTHOR : WOMANS WISDOM-------------*******You can say whatever you want about ex president Kuffour but I can tell you with all sincerity that president Kuffour is the best among all the past governments because he made a whole lot of developmental programs that have placed Ghana on the right path to success. He was able to bring in money from the international community to construct important projects that is uncomparable to any done by any past or present government. Focus your mind on the Bui dam, and it is Kuffour. Gaze at the discovery of OIL and it is Kuffour. Look at N 1 and Akwapim mountain Highway and it is Kuffour. The building of all three main sports stadia and it is Kuffour. Dr. Kuffour is the originator of Free maternal care, the national health insurance scheme (NHIS), school feeding program for students,metro mass transport, free cocoa spraying for farmers, improved workers salary, easy availability of loans for workers and small businesses, restoring and face lifting of government buildings left dilapidated by evil NDC. Notably, the Castle & Peduase Lodge, rebuilt the Flag staff house. Kuffour ensured freedom of speech, brought the national youth employment scheme,raised ghana from HIPC to lower middle income economy, and many many more. It took him just eight years to do all those. NDC has been on the spot light as a ruling government for a total of about 25 years, there is not even one single developmental project, not even one... come on and how foolish can anyone be to do nothing but insult such a statesman? If this stupid group called Inside Ghana (NDC thieves)has nothing good to say about Kuffour, they must go probe Mahama the chief thief, Atta Mills the hypocrite and JJ Rawlings the murderer and all will not be the same again. Fools.
mama b 12 years ago

we as a country will never never get a president like kuffour again until the world comes to an end

we as a country will never never get a president like kuffour again until the world comes to an end
Allortey-Chorkor Tarzan 12 years ago

That stupid question must be directed at you. Do you know people all over the world read an comment on this forum? Who taught you that English? "Where did you schooled?" You not even ashamed to write KOLA,LONDON MAIN, that yo ...
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That stupid question must be directed at you. Do you know people all over the world read an comment on this forum? Who taught you that English? "Where did you schooled?" You not even ashamed to write KOLA,LONDON MAIN, that you live in the queen's city. Say after me KOLA- where did you school? Infact your whole grammar is incomprehensible. Who lives in a shark, man? How are you able to read that part of the second question?-"using this as a escapegoat .....? Buulu. Those living in glass houses don't throw stones.
ILLITERATE SARPONG 12 years ago

I usually tried my best not to meddle in the murky waters of politics with my articles because of the wrath it exudes from readers. Nonetheless I am obliged to write this piece because of my personal involvement in the activi ...
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I usually tried my best not to meddle in the murky waters of politics with my articles because of the wrath it exudes from readers. Nonetheless I am obliged to write this piece because of my personal involvement in the activities of NPP prior to 2000 elections. Just like many other Ghanaians I heeded to the call for a ‘Positive Change’ in the 1990s and volunteered as a party activist. One key factor influenced my decision. I was convinced the party had the men capable of fixing our tattered economy and bring back smiles on faces of the dog chain sellers on the streets of Accra. Affordable houses will spring up so Ghanaians will live in descent homes once again.

This is because the party is supposed to be full of men who have been successful in their various fields of endeavours. Self made and accomplished men, seasoned lawyers, economic giants, talented engineers, business moguls etc. Most of who owned houses in the plush areas of Accra before coming into politics.

Yes I heeded to the call and spent most of my youthful days as activist for the NPP. In my constituency West Wuogon (West Ayawaso) I was a NPP ward secretary which means I was highly involved in the party’s activities at the constituency level. My involvement in the party brought me into direct contact with Party Constituency Executives. For instance I met many times with the late Colonel Addai Dauh, the then constituency Chairman, George Amoo former MP for the Constituency, Dr Safo Adu etc. Together with some other activists we campaigned in hostile NDC strongholds of the indigenous Ga people in constituency at the peril of our lives.

Horrors of corruptions

Little did I know I was doing all these for the party leaders to visit horror on the loving people of Ghana? I am so angry with the leaders for this betrayal. This was not the ‘positive change’ they promised us during the party forums at the university of Ghana campus in 1990s which made us joined in droves?

News about sordid deeds perpetrated by NPP on the poor people of Ghana is all over. Corruption and looting at very high echelons of the party is rife on the internet. Bizarrely instead of refuting these allegations the perpetrators brazenly justified their actions. There was this so called diplomat who was reported of transferring a Japanese grant into his personal accounts and he came out to give a long Kweku Ananse story in his defence. The following allegations were all justified or defended shamelessly.

Kwamena Bartels giving state money to his children, involvement of Kuffour’s son in the hotel gate incident, his daughter’s shopping mall sprees. Hackman Owusu Agyeman affordable houses loot, Ghana@ 50 benders, the mystery of the jaguar cars and the Sahara gate? The 50 cent bling bling chains and ‘dongomi’ honours.

I feel so embarrassed because during our campaign days most of the electorates kept saying ‘NPP leaders are thieves, greedy’ etc. A cousin of mine made a poignant assertion to the effect the NPP leaders will sell the country if they win the election. He was perfectly right. The NPP leaders have not only looted state lands but bungalows as well. Almost half of affordable houses meant for teachers, nurses, workers etc were plundered when they were still under construction. I just can’t imagine how I am going to face my cousin and many others in the future without them blurting at me ‘we told you so.’

The thievery of Kufour had turned JJ Rawlings into a hero. Kufour’s marauding attitude has made mockery of IK Acheampong’s ‘kalabule’ and ‘fawu to beji golf’ (golf for sex) era. Kufour’s looting spree has made us missed Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Within the short time Nkrumah spent in power he built the Tema harbour, municipality, motorway, the Akosombo dam, schools and colleges, universities etc.

Kuffour’s insensitivity to the plight of ordinary workers has brought value to SSNIT flats housing schemes under JJ Rawlings. SSNIT flats were built not only in Accra but also in most regional capitals. In Accra alone we have the Adenta, Sakumo, Dansoman SSNIT flats. How a ‘man with vision’ could prioritised a building of presidential palace (Taj Mahal) over affordable housing scheme for workers and Bui Power project for our industries. This really beats the imagination. With all these so called luminaries in the party all they could boast of is such mediocrities as School Feeding Programme, NYEP, and NHIS etc.

What has got me so infuriated is the level of human suffering I witnessed in my constituency on a recent visit. Hard core foot soldiers of the party who I worked with during those difficult days are still starving. According to the few I spoke to immediately the election was won the party leaders who were always on the grounds with the foot soldiers quickly vanished to inaccessible lofts to join in the sharing of spoils of war. This began the era of 8 years of looting and property acquiring democracy (PAD) till the people of Tain said enough was enough.

Acute water shortage is one of the major problems of my constituency. At least after 8 years of NPP misrule I expected these counterfeit ‘self made men’ to fix the problem. I was so dismayed when I found out the problem has rather exacerbated. On my visit out of the 21days I spent the taps flowed three times. Each time it lasted less than 20 minutes and in trickles. It could not fill a pail let alone the overhead tank hanging above the house.

Currently some of these shameless party leaders are struggling over who will be the next best plunderer. I believe they don’t realise the harm they have done to the image of the party. I suppose this is not the type of vision great pace setters like JB Danquah, Dr Abrefa Busia etc had in mind when they laid down their lives for the tradition. These gracious pace setters will curse these thieves in their graves for bringing shame to the party. One thing the leaders could do to redeem the image of the party is to go on their knees and beg for forgiveness from the people before dreaming of going back to them for their mandate again. They should also throw their weight behind Atta Mills in his quest of cleaning the mess they left behind.

Francis Kwaku Egu, UK
Afrifa 12 years ago

KOA is a laughing stock and so is his idol Kufour too.

KOA is a laughing stock and so is his idol Kufour too.
Togbe Afede 12 years ago

Your stinky mother and moronic Rawlings are laughingstock.

Your stinky mother and moronic Rawlings are laughingstock.
Kwame A 12 years ago

Man sold everything that belong to the country and he is the best. There is something wrong.

Man sold everything that belong to the country and he is the best. There is something wrong.
LARYEAH 12 years ago

WO MAAME TWE, YOU TOGOLESE FOOL!

WO MAAME TWE, YOU TOGOLESE FOOL!
Vuvuzela 12 years ago

Now I believe your honesty. You're one of the few discerning and truthful in the ocean of hypocrites and liars.

I have always read your comments; I will keep looking at them.

Keep it up, we need our country.

Now I believe your honesty. You're one of the few discerning and truthful in the ocean of hypocrites and liars.

I have always read your comments; I will keep looking at them.

Keep it up, we need our country.

Dan 12 years ago

Who is this dumb illiterate kola? Escapegoat? Live in shark?-

Who is this dumb illiterate kola? Escapegoat? Live in shark?-
Kofi/Accra 12 years ago

Poorly educated kola.

Poorly educated kola.
Forson 12 years ago

FACELESS & USELESS PROFESSOR. DECLARING GHANA HPIC?.INSTITUTIONANALIZING & ENTRENCHING CORRUPTION BY SAYING CORRUPTION STARTED IN ADAMS TIME?.SLEEPING WITH FOREIGNERS OUT OF WEDLOCK? .ABROGATING CONTACTS CAUSING FINANCIAL LO ...
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FACELESS & USELESS PROFESSOR. DECLARING GHANA HPIC?.INSTITUTIONANALIZING & ENTRENCHING CORRUPTION BY SAYING CORRUPTION STARTED IN ADAMS TIME?.SLEEPING WITH FOREIGNERS OUT OF WEDLOCK? .ABROGATING CONTACTS CAUSING FINANCIAL LOSE TO THE STATE? .TAKING LOANS & DIVERTING THEM?TURNING HIS CHILDREN INTO CONTRACTORS OVERNIGHT? .PRESIDING OVER THE SALE OF STATE LANDS TO THEMSELVES? .TROTTING THE GLOBE FOR RECOGNITION? .SELLING GHANA AIRWAYS & POCKETING THE MONEY? .OKOAMPAH, YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO INTELLIGENCE YOU CLAIM YOU HAVE.
BOSS 12 years ago

You are right, because they sold all government land to the npp members and ministers.
Also the son build the hotel and diverted the road to a mall and many more.
under him Ya-naa Yakubu was killed and many more.
You are ...
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You are right, because they sold all government land to the npp members and ministers.
Also the son build the hotel and diverted the road to a mall and many more.
under him Ya-naa Yakubu was killed and many more.
You are a confused
Corrupted gentle president was him
ILLITERATE SARPONG 12 years ago

Feature Article of Thursday, 22 June 2006
Columnist: Botwe-Asamoah, Kwame Dr
The Fallacies of J. B. Danquah's Heroic Legacy (II)Email this
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Feature Article of Thursday, 22 June 2006
Columnist: Botwe-Asamoah, Kwame Dr
The Fallacies of J. B. Danquah's Heroic Legacy (II)Email this
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Dedicated to Krobo Edusei’s Sister who was murdered in her yard by the NLM thugs, while preparing food for her Children.
Introduction
When the unrefined boxer faces a refined boxer (like Mohammed Ali) in the ring, the former’s only hope to win the fight is to relentlessly hit below the belt of his trained opponent. And when he cannot defend himself against the punches of his superior opponent, he removes his gloves and starts fighting the fans, referee and his trainer. Such are the brute tactics of the acolytes of Dr. J. B. Danquah, whenever the facts of history are brought into the open. Danquah’s politics in Ghana were completely driven by his commitment to strengthening and maintaining the rule of the Ofori Atta’s dynasty and the draconian “Chieftaincy” system (indirect rule via the native headmen) introduced by British colonialism. As Kofi Awoonor notes, Ofori Atta I, in particular, “was a classical example of a chief removed from the bounds of the original African democratic system and exalted to the British colonial master’s table.” With J. B. Danquah as Ofori Atta's “Attorney-General” (legal advisor), the latter manipulated the indirect rule system to acquire political power and personal wealth through unpopular destoolment of his opposing sub-kings, physical punishment of protesters, taxations, tribunal system, money laundering and land policy. This was one of the many reasons why Danquah was defeated in the 1954 and 1956 general elections in the Akyem Abuakwa Central constituency. In his bid for the presidency in 1960, the “Doyen of Gold Coast Politics” got 10% of the total votes; Volta Region was the only province where Danquah won.
Who are the Akyems?
My interviews (ethnographic research into Akyem history) with some Akyem traditionalists, including Osofo Nana Kwadwo of Kofi Gyemprem Shrine, Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV of Tafo and the late Professor Adu Boahen did not yield any conclusive result regarding the etymology of the name “Akyem.” But, based on Rev. C. C. Reindorf’s account, the name Akyem was given to the Akyem kingdom by the Adanse-Asante for being suppliers of salt (enkyen) into the interior. According to Osabarima Adusie Peasah IV and Reindorf, the Akyem migrated from Kwaman under the leadership of King Okru Banin. As Osofo Nana Kwadwo told me, they first settled on the bank of River Birem at Bunso, where Okomfo Asare emerged from the depth of the river on Tuesday with a palm frond in his hand. Hence, Ohum (Akyem festival), the names Bunso (bun no so), Beremu, (Birem) Birem Abena and the expression, “Akyem kwaa onom Beremu.”
The Akyem (including Begoro kingdom), Reindorf points out, was the parent group of Akwamu. Reindorf further points out that Akyem was an equally powerful nation, on par with that of Denkyira. But until the arrival of the refugee Abuakwa people, under Kuntunkruku, migrated from Adanse and begged to settle in Akyem, the Akwamu had submerged its ancestral Akyem kingdom. Hence, the saying in Tafo is that, “Abuakwa be too Akyem,” meaning “before the arrival of the Abuakwa (from Adanse) there was Akyem.” That explained why Danquah spoke of rehabilitating the image of Abuakwa so that it could lead the nation, after his failure in obtaining a stay of execution of death sentences for the convicted murderers of Akyea Mensah. So, why would Ofori Atta and Danquah turn around, harass and label the Juaben, Ga, Shai, Krobo, Ewe, Akwapim, Northern and Kwahu people in Akyem as “atubrafoo”—“stranger-settlers,” to borrow Busia’s expression?

The Origin of the Tyrannical Rule of Danquah’s Brother, Ofori Atta I According to Reindorf, Jarle Simensen and oral tradition, the first batch of refugees from Adanse to settle in Akyem was led by Kuntunkruku, who later became the first Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa. Ofori Panin, who died about 1730, led the next batch of Adanse (Abuakwa) immigrants. The reign of Ofori Panin marked the turning point in Akyem history, as it was the period of wars for kingdoms. It was their defeat of Akwamu Empire in 1733 that brought towns like Asamankese, Akwatia, Tafo, Maase, Apedwa, Apappam and Asafo under Kyebi dynasty. In spite of this, there was hardly any land in Akyem, which came directly under the Kyebi royal stool. Therefore, when Ofori Atta came to the throne in 1912, and to prevent the Omanhene from being “reduced to the position of a beggar,” he devised a “centralization of land control” policy, in order to draw land to the royal stool. But, the policy as Mensah Sarbah, Casely-Hayford and Kobina Sekyi argued, was a breach of the general Akan land law in which public or stool land was attached to the stools of divisional and village “chiefs.” And the towns with big lands were Tafo, Begoro and Asamankese. The only means for Ofori Atta to achieve his goal was through judicial and political authority over the Akyem state with the backing of the Colonial Government, especially the District Commissioner W. J. A. Jones.

Ofori Atta I was born in 1881 to Akosua Buor Gyankromah (the first cousin of Omanhene Amoako Atta I) and E. Boakye Danquah (nephew of the Omanhene of New Juaben). Danquah, on the other hand, was born at Bepong in Kwahu in 1895 to a different mother. In 1903, A. E. B. Danquah (later Ofori Atta I) was called to Kyebi together with his brother A. E. A. Danquah (a police officer) to form the core of a new secretariat at the palace of Amoako Atta II. This was after A. E. B. Danquah (Ofori Atta I) had served as a sergeant in the British volunteer force in the 1900 British war against the Asantes. After the successor to Amoako Atta II was dethroned less than one year on the throne, A. E. B. Danquah was elected Omanhene in 1912 with the stool name Ofori Atta. As indicated above, there was no extensive land attached to the Paramount stool. But with the indirect rule, political power became the main source of wealth for the new Kyebi dynasty. Ofori Atta introduced his own financial policy through arbitrary tribunal income and various forms of political tribute in connection with installation of kings and queens, festivals and other forms. The new Omanhene soon found the District Commissioner (Jones) as his influential mentor, and appealed to the Colonial Governor to aid the Omanhene in containing the internal conflicts of the state and solidify his position as the new traditional aristocrat. It must be pointed out that it was during Ofori Atta’s regime that the Gold Coast became the showcase of British indirect rule. Ofori Atta accepted British supremacy and became proud of his citizenship in the British Empire. As Simensen points out, Ofori Atta “gave eloquent proof of his loyalty to the Empire” by “contributing large sums of money “to cover the cost of an aeroplane during the First Imperial War (WWI). In appreciation of this, “a war plane was christened “Akim Abuakwa,” and on receiving his C. B. E. in 1919, Ofori Atta was presented with a linguist stick with silver mountings and a miniature aeroplane on the top. This large financial contribution to Britain in its imperial war for world domination (including the Gold Coast) could have been used to develop Akyem Abuakwa. But no, Ofori Atta just aimed at securing greatest possible advantage in terms of economic benefit and political power for himself, his family, the royal lineage and the town Kyebi, with Danquah as his legal wizard. The Omanhene “had about forty wives and more than eighty children who naturally came to represent an important resource for him, both at the local and national levels” (Jarle Simensen, 95). It was one of these children, Aaron Kofi Asante Ofori Atta of Tafo, that defeated Danquah in the 1954 and 1956 elections. There is also a well documented rumour that Ofori Atta desired to have one out of every man’s wives brought to his palace to serve him (see “Akyem Abuakwa and the Politics of the Interwar Period in Ghana,” an anthology of papers presented at two seminars at Legon in 1971).

The Tyrannical Rule of Ofori Atta with Danquah as the “State Attorney General” Soon after the arrival of Dr. J.B. Danquah from Britain with a Ph. D. degree in philosophy, Ofori Atta instrumented the Native Administrative Ordinance of 1927. Between 1927 and 1943, Danquah served as Ofori Atta’s secretary, ambassador, and legal advisor (Attorney General). This was what gave rise to J.B. Danquah’s political career. In 1928, Danquah accompanied his brother Ofori Atta’s rise to knighthood for his meritorious service to the British Empire. It was around this time that Danquah published the two books, “Akan Laws and Customs and the Akim Abuakwa Constitution” and “The Akim Laws Handbook” to impress the British public with the majestic state of Akyem Abuakwa and its ruler. Ofori Atta’s land policy of 1919 and section 123 of the Native Administrative Ordinance of 1927 aimed at securing a large share of the benefits of land commercialization. The land commercialization policy was tied up with the political and judicial authority to control the “immigrant tenants” particularly. J. B. Danquah’s support of the 1927 Ordinance stemmed from his worship of the principle of colonial laissez faire “as the best way to secure both orderly Government and dedication to the British Empire.” This meant “Personal (Omanhene) rights and citizenship (exclusively Akyems) as opposed to Family Rights (the local stool family) and communal ownership of land (held in trust by the local king/queen). Danquah would advance the same argument against the 1951 Local Government Ordinance authored by Nkrumah’s Minister of Local Government, E. O. Asafu-Adjaye. In effect, the 1927 Ordinance gave legislative power to control the sale of stool lands and regulate the financial and judicial position of the “strangers-immigrants.” But this did not only bring conflict between the so-called “settler-immigrant and Ofori Atta,” it also brought conflict between the Omanhene and divisional kings of Tafo, Asamankese and Begoro. These alien policies thus led to major uprisings in Akyem Kotoku and Akyem Abuakwa against the Ofori Atta’s dynasty. And were it not for the arrests and beatings of the protesters by the colonial government’s police force, the Amantoo-mmiensa’s (king/queen makers of Akyem Omanhene) uprising and those of the commoners in Asamankese, Tafo, Asafo and other places, would have toppled Ofori Atta’s regime. In the case of Tafo, the Tafohene (the original Omanhene of Akyem) challenged Ofori Atta’s alien laws. And when the Tafohene challenged Ofori Atta’s notion as to the origin of the Akyem state and customary practice in land matters, Ofori Atta clamped down on him (see Simensen’s work on Akim Abuakwa, Vol. I and II). Nevertheless, the Tafohene’s open defiance of Ofori Atta’s policies foreshadowed Danquah’s defeat in the general elections. Meanwhile, the Amanhene of New Juaben, Akwapim and Kwahu expressed serious concerns about the ill-treatment meted out to their subjects by Ofori Atta I. In 1932, the Konor of Manya Krobo also protested the Ofori Atta’s land declaration as it interfered with the rights of his subjects in the disputed border areas. But in January 1928, Ofori launched an offensive assault on the New Juabens in Akyem Abuakwa with a new by-law. This new bye-law imposed a 1% tax on each cocoa tree owned by all non-Akyem farmers who held their land on a usufruct basis. The Juaben settlers in Tafo led a protest against the law saying that it singled them out for special tax, even though they were willing to partition their farms permanently with 1/3 going to the Omanhene. They also viewed the special tax as an effort to exploit the 1927 Ordinance for Ofori Atta’s personal gain. Their complaint was that since the enactment of the 1927 Ordinance, they (New Jaubens) had being feeling the “iron hands of Okyenhene” (see Simensen, 201). As pointed out earlier, the father of Ofori Atta and J.B. Danquah was the nephew of the New Juaben Omanhene. The next victims of Ofori Atta’s “iron hands” were the Kwahu traders. He ordered his sub-kings “to evict from Akyem Abuakwa all Kwahu traders who did not own their houses in the country.” Subsequently, the Kwahu traders were thrown out of their stores. Besides, Ofori Atta turned down an appeal by a forty-member delegation of the Kwahu traders. And Akyem landlords who showed sympathy with the evicted Kwahu traders were summoned to Kyebi for questioning. Speaking to this, he said “we should not be blamed for selfishness if we try to see in the first instance to the substantial erection of our own National Edifice” (see Ofori Atta’s speech to the Presbyterian Church (N/A Kibi, 11-197-41). In his “An Epistle To the Educated Youngman” in 1927, Danquah echoed Ofori Atta’s lamentation that “Mother Akim Abuakwa is being dismembered slice by slice like bread on a breakfast table,” and “future generations might have to rent from strangers their own ancestral land.” But, when Governor Guggisberg visited Kyebi in February 1922, one Donkor of Fankyereko told the Governor ‘that the bones on the Akim state drums were those of….rebellious sub-chiefs.” Certainly, as the Ofori Atta’s special secretary, ambassador, as well as legal wizard, Dr. J. B. Danquah was an accomplice in the Ofori Atta totalitarian rule and his method of silencing dissidents. Can we imagine what would have happened to rebels, bomb throwers, assassins and coup plotters under Danquah’s premiership?

Certainly, this is not a proud legacy.

Indeed, imposing J.B. Danquah as a “Patriotic Saint of Ghana” is a persecution of the ghosts of the 300 Young Pioneers (children) and Krobo Edusei’s Sister who were murdered by the Danquah-Busia thugs, for following Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Kwame Botwe-Asamoah, Ph. D.
Professor of African and African American History
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Dr. Botwe-Asamoah is the author of the Cheikh Anta Diop Award for excellence in scholarship book, Kwame Nkrumah’s Politico-Cultural Thought and Policies, published by Routledge. You can contact this author for a list of readings.
Vuvuzela 12 years ago

That's not all; they took government vehicles away. Mills promise to recuperate them but no one saw it fit to do anything to it. Over 600 vehicles are thus lost.

That's not all; they took government vehicles away. Mills promise to recuperate them but no one saw it fit to do anything to it. Over 600 vehicles are thus lost.
Amakom 12 years ago

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA- The Wenchi Traditional Area on Friday called for an end to the stalemate over the removal of the statue of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Ghana's late Premier at the Sunyani Jubilee park.

The Busia Fo ...
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Accra, Sept. 18, GNA- The Wenchi Traditional Area on Friday called for an end to the stalemate over the removal of the statue of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Ghana's late Premier at the Sunyani Jubilee park.

The Busia Foundation is contesting in court, the replacement of the statue, which had fueled speculations that it would be substituted by that of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President by the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the region, which was created by Nkrumah's administration.

A document submitted on the issue to the Ghana News Agency in Accra by Nana Owusu Ansah Kokroko II, Krontihene of Wenchi noted that the RCC and the Foundation did not seek the good counsel of the chiefs over the impasse.

Nana Kokroko said the Traditional Council was of the view that the removal of Dr Busia's statue from the park would be politically and culturally traumatic for the people of Wenchi who were likely to be offended.

"Will anybody predict the political and social consequences such an act can bring to the Regional Co-ordinating Council as well as the Regional House of Chiefs that must stand up to defend one of the sons of their Region?"

"It is the considered opinion of the Wenchi Traditional Council that the matter can be resolved out of court," he said and suggested the need for the two personalities to have their statues at the park.

Nana Kokroko observed that the two political leaders were never enemies but merely opposed each other over issues and principles that they both believed in.

"The two figures fought for Independence side by side in spite of their sharp respective stances. The tragedy at the time was that we as a new nation were beginning to appreciate the full rigours and beauty of democracy.

"Many Ghanaians until today have been intolerant of each other's principles. Indeed we perhaps inadvertently tend to raise the status of others by diminishing that of others. It should be possible for Dr. Busia and Dr. Nkrumah to remain in their graves as opponents on certain basic principles and politics of democracy without seeing each other as enemies who can draw daggers at one another."

He said it was the view of the Traditional Council that the two political giants could stand side by side not only as relations and comrades but as former Prime Ministers of the nation.

"Both men fought for Independence, one in government and the other in opposition. The two complemented each other's principles and arguments for responsible democratic governance. The motions by Dr. Nkrumah that were tabled in Parliament before and after the grant of Independence were both seconded by Dr. Busia as Leader of the Opposition.

"The debate that ensued after the question must be read by all Ghanaians. Independence was won for all and by all the political shades of opinion at that time, and Nkrumah must be recognised as the first among equals at that time," he said.

Nana Kokroko said the RCC and the foundation forgot that the two political heroes hailed from Wenchi.

"Indeed they were both cousins and royals of the two gates that provide occupants of the Wenchi Black Stool. Whereas Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's family at Nsuaem still maintain their ancestry to the Ahemfi Yefri Royal House of Wenchi, Dr. Busia's position as the Abusuapanin of the Sofoase Yefri Royal House of Wenchi has never been questioned," he said.

Nana Kokroko said Dr. Busia was nominated to be the Omanhene of Wenchi in 1949, but he declined the offer in favour of his own brother Nana Kusi Apea I.

"It is pertinent to know also that Dr. Nkrumah's family traced their ancestry to Wenchi in 1958… A big welcome ceremony took place at Wenchi whereupon Dr. Nkrumah was installed the Yefrihene of Wenchi by the reigning Omanhene Nana Abrefa Mbohre Bediatuo VI under the stool name Nana Anye Amoampong I.

"Until today, the Blackened Stool of Dr. Nkrumah is kept at the family house of Dr. Nkrumah at Nsuaem (his second ancestral home. The first being Wenchi.

"The current occupant of the Yefri stool at Nsuaem, Nana Anye Amoanpong Ntabrako II is a regular participant in all traditional ceremonies at Wenchi. The royals in Wenchi participate in all traditional events that take place in Dr. Nkrumah's home at Nsuaem.

"These regular exchanges of visit between the two sets of royals have brought the two leaders much closer… after their death," he said.

GNA
K. Boateng 12 years ago

what is the correlation between this dead news and the gibberish penned up there by the akyem dog eating looney called okoampa?

what is the correlation between this dead news and the gibberish penned up there by the akyem dog eating looney called okoampa?
OSEI AKOTO JUSTICE (USA). 12 years ago

KWAME OKOAMPA-AHOOFE,JR.,THE USELESS PH.D.HOLDER IN THE WORLD,FOOLISH MAN.

KWAME OKOAMPA-AHOOFE,JR.,THE USELESS PH.D.HOLDER IN THE WORLD,FOOLISH MAN.
PRINCE KWASI ADADE 12 years ago

WE FOUGHT CRIMINAL NDC TO GIVE GHANAIANS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIVES OF DR. K A BUSIA, HON. ADU BOAHEN AND HON. NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFFO ADDO FOR CHAMPIONING OUR DEMOCRATIC COURSE. LONG LIVE OUR PRESENT D ...
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WE FOUGHT CRIMINAL NDC TO GIVE GHANAIANS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIVES OF DR. K A BUSIA, HON. ADU BOAHEN AND HON. NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFFO ADDO FOR CHAMPIONING OUR DEMOCRATIC COURSE. LONG LIVE OUR PRESENT DAY ELISHA; HON KUFFUOR. DOWN WITH THE CRIMINAL NDC DICTATORS PARADING, TODAY, AS DEMOCRATS. THEY ARE FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!

MR. FIGURE-OUT 12 years ago

Prof Ahoofe is the best researcher on Ghanaweb. Enuff thx to him for cutting the loud mouth " Carolina summer Soldier", Arthur Kennedy, to size. Without Okuampah Ahoofe, the likes of Arthur Keneedy( opportunistic Wireko Brobb ...
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Prof Ahoofe is the best researcher on Ghanaweb. Enuff thx to him for cutting the loud mouth " Carolina summer Soldier", Arthur Kennedy, to size. Without Okuampah Ahoofe, the likes of Arthur Keneedy( opportunistic Wireko Brobbey and Nyaho Tamakloe) would have forced the NPP to accept Thief Mahama as a genuine winner of the 2012 elections. Long live prof. I sometimes disagree with him but, hey, he still the man.
ROBINSON A FREMPONG 12 years ago

NOTHING SERIOUS TO SAY, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT WELL NOTED KNOWLEDGE IS ACQUIRE BY FEW MIND, YES, OKOAMPA, U ARE THERE, JUST RECEIVE ALL THESE AS NUISANCE TALK, AND UNSCHOOLED COMMENTS.

NOTHING SERIOUS TO SAY, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT WELL NOTED KNOWLEDGE IS ACQUIRE BY FEW MIND, YES, OKOAMPA, U ARE THERE, JUST RECEIVE ALL THESE AS NUISANCE TALK, AND UNSCHOOLED COMMENTS.
Allortey-Chorkor Tarzan 12 years ago

None of the empty heads speaking against the writer has been able to offer a counter more convincing challenge to what Okoampa wrote. All they do is raining insults. Someone should have mentioned another name to be rushed thr ...
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None of the empty heads speaking against the writer has been able to offer a counter more convincing challenge to what Okoampa wrote. All they do is raining insults. Someone should have mentioned another name to be rushed through the mill to ascertain the truth and recognition. Skin pain people.
kofikofi 12 years ago

the best thief in ghana.

the best thief in ghana.
ROBINSON A FREMPONG 12 years ago

I UNDERSTAND THAT WELL NOTED KNOWLEDGE IS ACQUIRE BY FEW MIND. U KNOW THE BEST AND FOR SURE THAT IS WHAT U HAVE REVEAL. PRESIDENT KUFOUR IS INDEED THE BEST PRESIDENT IN GHANA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. U HAVE S ...
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I UNDERSTAND THAT WELL NOTED KNOWLEDGE IS ACQUIRE BY FEW MIND. U KNOW THE BEST AND FOR SURE THAT IS WHAT U HAVE REVEAL. PRESIDENT KUFOUR IS INDEED THE BEST PRESIDENT IN GHANA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. U HAVE SAID IT ALL. KINDLY ACCEPT ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS U PRESUME AS NUISANCE BUT BREATH THEM OUT WITHOUT SWALLOWING. GOD SHALL JUDGE US ALL
Kwesi 12 years ago

ahootai and frempong you are both useless because of your tribalim.

ahootai and frempong you are both useless because of your tribalim.
Zoobie-Zoobie 12 years ago

corrupt, very corrupt

corrupt, very corrupt
Samuel Offei Akoto 12 years ago

Its been a nice ride with Kuo4 as the presiudent. well to every kings rule, there goods and bads of the system.
this man did well, but the invitation of these Chinees and their cheap products that he encourage, is still kill ...
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Its been a nice ride with Kuo4 as the presiudent. well to every kings rule, there goods and bads of the system.
this man did well, but the invitation of these Chinees and their cheap products that he encourage, is still killing us. Now due to his rulling and his nonaviodance to the antidumping system in our economic system Ghanais now suffering from the Chinees invation of our country. oluir mining sector is now at a very big risk. our country has now become the midpoint of drug trafficking and the influx of illigal imigrants has become a problem.
These are some of the things that col. IK Achampong prevented and made Ghana Safe untill the June $th Revolt kicked in.
Also, JJ also did well in the prevention of such urgly activities. Kuffour just opened to doors to all this urgly doors and now we are in for troubles with the influx of this immigrant issues that our country has never faced before.
Let me take this opportunity to caution the people of Ghana that due to the discovery of the oil, there is going to be a very big big problem ahead that we need to start computerizing the nationals by the invitation of a national centre base compuerizing system.
Martin Brew 12 years ago

Okoampa Ahoofe, your title proposed to lead us through a set of arguments why Kufuor is the best President in the 4th Republic. Instead you spent 75% of your piece attacking Dr. Arthur Kennedy. You're a petty self-conscious b ...
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Okoampa Ahoofe, your title proposed to lead us through a set of arguments why Kufuor is the best President in the 4th Republic. Instead you spent 75% of your piece attacking Dr. Arthur Kennedy. You're a petty self-conscious boastful non-achiever.
FYI, you're hardly half the man Arthur K is; fact. And you will remain a second rate community college teacher (according to your students) while Arthur K gradually stamps himself as a household name as a result of his decency and service to his country.
You've sank to a new low, and that's a surprise, considering how low you already are.
concerned ghanaian 12 years ago

You are like an owl;the more light we try throw on you, the less you see!!!!!!!!!

God help you

You are like an owl;the more light we try throw on you, the less you see!!!!!!!!!

God help you

Djabanor 12 years ago

my fellow ghanaians stop insult.

my fellow ghanaians stop insult.
TROUBLE-MAKER 12 years ago

You think you can use your fucking Ph.D to fool people in Ghana?Boy,we are not Ph.D holders but you cannot twist history that took place before our eyes.
Kwasea.

You think you can use your fucking Ph.D to fool people in Ghana?Boy,we are not Ph.D holders but you cannot twist history that took place before our eyes.
Kwasea.
amass 12 years ago

RE:kufuor can't b best president in any capacity since he's a fraudiler,armed robba n corruptible.

RE:kufuor can't b best president in any capacity since he's a fraudiler,armed robba n corruptible.
Yaw Amofa 12 years ago

AhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAho ...
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AhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofeAhoofe.
Kojo 12 years ago

“Hiding behind the Internet to pursue a dirty political agenda is cowardly. And this is no less cowardly than those journalists who boldly fabricate stories as a way of protecting their paymasters,”

“Hiding behind the Internet to pursue a dirty political agenda is cowardly. And this is no less cowardly than those journalists who boldly fabricate stories as a way of protecting their paymasters,”
Azumah Nelson 12 years ago

The man is the most crooked head of state ever to occupy the Castle.

The man is the most crooked head of state ever to occupy the Castle.
NON-ALIGNED 12 years ago

Kwame.....it's a shame you've gone beyond yourself to become a laughing stock with these articles of yours.

Please be honest and channel your energies properly to help build our nation.

Partisan articles and bigotry wil ...
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Kwame.....it's a shame you've gone beyond yourself to become a laughing stock with these articles of yours.

Please be honest and channel your energies properly to help build our nation.

Partisan articles and bigotry will not help.

Kuffuor and the present one, plus the ones before since 1983 are the most useless of its kind Ghana has ever known and experienced.
Are you talking about him selling the nation short to his colonial masters?
The vodafone deal? The oil deal of less than 11% that Ghana gets? Or are you talking about Dr. Edusei and Ofori's 1% they receive on all our oil deals? Those two.... Kuffuor's cronies? You and your lot have no shame at all and one day you will be judged by the Almighty. I know your lot do not believe in God. Because if you did, you will never allow our children in abject poverty.

Keep up your partisan work and believe you are honestly trying to make a difference with lies........
That's all I can say to you. There is God you know......
(Note: Pls don't worry about my English or whatever - if get the message...that's all that matters).

GOD BLESS GHANA!
AFRICAN FOREVER!
JOHNNY 12 years ago

KUFFOUR PRESIDED OVER THE MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IN GHANA'S HISTORY.

KUFFOUR PRESIDED OVER THE MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IN GHANA'S HISTORY.
Kojo T 12 years ago

My simple advice to the sanctimonious Carolina summer soldier is tersely as follows: If you don't know what you are talking about, just shut up and let those who know enlighten the rest of us, including you, of course Do yo ...
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My simple advice to the sanctimonious Carolina summer soldier is tersely as follows: If you don't know what you are talking about, just shut up and let those who know enlighten the rest of us, including you, of course Do you know Acheampong was the one who got Ghana driving on the right hand side with no hitches. So yu can count on your fi ger tips what k4 achieved . Can you match that with Nkrumah or Acheampong or Rawlings? Shut up as you said
LARYEAH 12 years ago

REALY, NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND YOU KOJZO TOGO TO TOGO LAND. FOOL!

REALY, NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND YOU KOJZO TOGO TO TOGO LAND. FOOL!
VINCEY,NJ 12 years ago

At first you said Krofuor Ku4 was the best president Ghana have ever had. Why the change now to the 4th Republic. You this Akyem bigot are just stupid/hopeless.

At first you said Krofuor Ku4 was the best president Ghana have ever had. Why the change now to the 4th Republic. You this Akyem bigot are just stupid/hopeless.
MR. FIGURE-OUT 12 years ago

Go back and read the article again

Go back and read the article again
LARYEAH 12 years ago

ABOA FOO! SHUT THE HELL UP YOU TOGO INDIGEN. VINCEYVO!

ABOA FOO! SHUT THE HELL UP YOU TOGO INDIGEN. VINCEYVO!
Whatever 12 years ago

I could have understood this article if today was APRIL FOOL.

I could have understood this article if today was APRIL FOOL.
GREAT NANA ANTWI 12 years ago

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A FAST POWERFULL SPIRITUALIST?THEN GOOGLE OR GO TO greatnanapowerfullspiritualist blogspot com

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A FAST POWERFULL SPIRITUALIST?THEN GOOGLE OR GO TO greatnanapowerfullspiritualist blogspot com
Agbeli Kumordzi 12 years ago

AHOOFE IS A MISSING DOG WONDERING IN AMERICA.

AHOOFE IS A MISSING DOG WONDERING IN AMERICA.
Nana Hakim 12 years ago

Hello Mr. & Mrs. Ghana,

Well, you GOOFED AGAIN. if he was why, did he, ACCORDING TO HIS OWN EX-GOVENOR OF BOG, he left Ghana's ECONOMY IN INTENSIVE CARE? I paused to ask Ahoofe.

Kwame, be prepared to execute Nana Akufo ...
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Hello Mr. & Mrs. Ghana,

Well, you GOOFED AGAIN. if he was why, did he, ACCORDING TO HIS OWN EX-GOVENOR OF BOG, he left Ghana's ECONOMY IN INTENSIVE CARE? I paused to ask Ahoofe.

Kwame, be prepared to execute Nana Akufo Addo, when he arrived at Kyebi after the SC verdict to ask for forgiveness from my UNCLE IN-LAW and OKYEHENE Nana Amoatia.

LONG LIVE AFRICA! GOD BLESS GHANA!! FORWARD EVER!!!
Dziko Kwame 12 years ago

Dr Okoampa Ahoofe

It's nothing wrong when you educate Dr Arthur Kennedy as is copied here:

"....My simple advice to the sanctimonious Carolina summer soldier is tersely as follows: If you don't know what you are talking ...
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Dr Okoampa Ahoofe

It's nothing wrong when you educate Dr Arthur Kennedy as is copied here:

"....My simple advice to the sanctimonious Carolina summer soldier is tersely as follows: If you don't know what you are talking about, just shut up and let those who know enlighten the rest of us, including you, of course. Don't feel vainly obligated to compose any twaddle simply because it is the centenary birthday anniversary of Prime Minister Busia, and you feel the imperative need to hog an inch or two of publicity space........."

But to correct him by insulting him this way isn't the best way, so I think.
"....You see, I am not like that summer soldier ensconced somewhere in the Carolinas who flatly lied through his teeth that it was the late Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia who initiated the National Service Scheme. And this funny guy actually ran in the New Patriotic Party's presidential primaries some five years ago; he also imperiously claims that he has sunk his "treasure" into the party much more than any of his most formidable rivals and competitors........"

Long live Ghana.
NYADZI SELASE 12 years ago

Twist all the historical facts for all I care. Give to yourself all the first class degrees and award yourselves with all the medal and titles you wish to. The fact remains that Ghana is bigger than any group of people. So wh ...
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Twist all the historical facts for all I care. Give to yourself all the first class degrees and award yourselves with all the medal and titles you wish to. The fact remains that Ghana is bigger than any group of people. So when we talk we should first think of the broader interest of national unity but not to travel this tribally parochial and politically egocentric path of self importance. The best president in what? Official endorsement of corruption or state looting or nation moral collapse

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Kufuor: Best President In Ghana's Fourth Republic

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