Autobiography of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia Launched

Accra, Sept 23, GNA - An autobiography of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, Former Chairman of the Council of State was on Wednesday launched in Accra.

The lunching of the book titled "A life in the Political History of Ghana: the Memoirs of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia," which was published posthumously, coincided with the second anniversary of Alhaji Bawumia's death.

The book recounts the life of the author, who is considered an illustrious son of Ghana and one of foremost politicians to have played an active role in pre and post independent Ghanaian politics, from his childhood through to the peak of his political career and his latter years.

The book illustrates the challenges the author encountered in his political career by way of people maligning him and the calmness with which he handled such matters.

It also teaches readers about the political history of Ghana and the role the author played in shaping the course of that history. Alahji Bawumia served under more than three Ghanaian governments in various capacities as a public servant.

In a speech read on his behalf, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President said the late Alhaji Bawumia was principled and meticulous in his endeavours, adding, "he serves as a role model even after death". "By writing this book, he has left Ghana with rich history, which might have gone unrecorded," Alhaji Aliu Mahama said.

Alhaji Aliu Mahama said Alahji Bawumia's efforts to bring development to the North through the construction of schools; hospitals and roads, among other projects, endeared him to Dr Kwame Nkrumah who thought Alahji Bawumia's skills needed to be brought to bear on the development of Ghana as a whole.

He said as a Minister of Government, Alahji Bawumia introduced the Registration of Births and Death that required the registration of all births and death in the country.

Alhaji Aliu Mahama, therefore, asked Ghanaians to always remember the deeds of Alahji Bawumia.

"So when we register a birth or a death, let us remember who helped to make that possible," he said.

In a tribute to Alhaji Bawumia, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, MP for Tolon Kumbungu said he lived an eventful and productive life that earned him much respect in the Ghanaian society.

Alhaji Mumuni said, contrary to the saying that great Ghanaians die with all their wisdom, Alhaji Bawumia had left a legacy, which shall linger on from one generation to another.

He said Alhaji Bawumia's passion was not to amass wealth for himself but seek the welfare of the less privileged in society.

He noted that Alhaji Bawumia, through his political carrier worked to bridge the development gab between the southern and northern parts of Ghana.

"Alhaji Bawumia considered unequal development as dreadful to Ghana and engineered the passage of some articles which imposed on government to undertake even development," he said.

Lunching the book, Mr Kwame Pianim, a renowned economist said that the Memoirs of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia was aptly titled because as one reads through it, he is presented with the picture of life, how to live one's life and the lessons from the rich experiences of this remarkable man. The first of the book was sold for ten million cedis.

The launching ceremony was attended by personalities from all political parties, his family, some religious leaders and other dignitaries to demonstrate the respect that Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia earns even after his death.