Kufuor's ministers were stars – Ocquaye

Prof. Mike Ocquaye has taken a swipe at bad governance and described the former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s cabinet of which he (Ocquaye) was a part as a galaxy of stars.

Reviewing ‘Gold Coast Boy,’ a memoir of Dr Addo Kufuor, former Defence Minister and MP for the Manhyia constituency during the book’s launching ceremony at the British Council last Wednesday, Prof Oquaye remarked that experience and maturity are important in the delivery of good governance.

He said under the Kufuor administration acts which impugned negatively on the government were not allowed. “The Kufuor administration was a galaxy of stars. It was a system devised to work. It was a cabinet in which people were committed to qualitative governance,” he observed.

Continuing, Prof Mike Oquaye told his audience that “No one could sign a cheque for $1 million as it had happened some time ago.”

Corruption, which is largely associated with politicians, had a rough tackling by Prof Oquaye who dismissed the notion when he said, “Not every politician is corrupt. There are decent politicians. I enjoyed sitting on the same cabinet table with people like Nana Akufo Addo.”

The ‘Gold Coast Boy,’ which he reviewed lavishly, showering its presentation and contents with plaudits according to him, is a must read for politicians. “Do you want to be a politician? Chapter 10 is a must read for you.”

Ghanaians, he lamented, do not write books about their experiences to serve as important lessons for the younger generations.

By his feat, Dr. Addo-Kufuor, he said, had taken his readers through his life which for him is worthy of emulation. “It is painful that Ghanaians are not chronicling their lives for posterity. Chronicling things which happen in our lives will provide lessons for future generations to emulate. The book has filled a yawning vacuum,” he said.

When it was time to auction the first 40 copies, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was represented by Nana Dr. SKB Asante, Asokore Mampong chief, picked the first copy for an undisclosed amount of money.

He was followed by the former Ghana Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Adjei Bawuah, who picked a specially packaged and autographed copy for GH¢15,000 followed by Dr. Frank Adu of Cal Bank for GH¢10,000.

The attendance list was long, little wonder many stood outside the main auditorium. Nana Akufo-Addo was there as was Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia; Chairman of the occasion, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey; Freddie Blay; Ama Busia; Rashid Bawa; Joe Ghartey; Esther Ofori and Frema Osei Opare.

Others were Prof Atuquaye Okine, Prof Addae Mensah and JH Mensah, including a large representation from the Anglican Church.