Keep Busia's legacy of democracy - Aliu

Wenchi (B/A), Aug. 28, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Friday said the best monument to immortalise Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic, would be to keep alive his legacy of democracy, rural development and scholarship, among other things. He said: "He worked all his life to be our keeper; it is now our duty to keep that flame alight - our greatest respect to a visionary, who fought oppression, injustice and inculcated in us a strong value for hard-work, sense of dedication and commitment to true democracy." Vice President Mahama was speaking at Wenchi at a memorial ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Dr Busia, who is acclaimed as an excellent academician, committed patriot and humanitarian. The Chiefs and people of Wenchi, his hometown, turned out in droves from all corners of the town to honour their royal, who is said to have served them as a servant.

Also at the ceremony were Naa Morkor, Dr Busia's widow, his children, family members and loyalists of the liberal democracy ideology, which he unflinchingly championed.

Vice President Mahama said Dr Busia's distinguished academic career, which earned him the title: "The Best University Scholar in Africa," should inspire Ghanaians, particularly, the youth to pursue education to the greatest heights.

"Dr Busia's contemporaries attest to the fact that his world-class scholarship was achieved, aside natural brilliance, by hard work and discipline," he stressed.

"It is this legacy of Dr Kofi Busia that must be an inspiration to the people of Ghana, especially the youth." On rural development, Vice President Mahama said Dr Busia's Progress Party Government, implemented programmes that gave inaccessible communities roads, potable water, electricity and healthcare facilities. During Dr Busia's tenure of office from August 19, 1969 to January 13 1972, he established the first ministry dedicated to rural development. Additionally, he set up committees in all the regions to formulate strategic plans for rural development, taking into account the specific needs of the regions, based on their levels of development. He also fashioned policies to encourage and bolster Ghanaian entrepreneurship aimed at making Ghanaians competitive at both the regional and international levels, the Vice President said. Other tributes, read by his children, close friend and family members talked about his devotion to improve the welfare of others, concern for girls' education and patriotism.

Dr Busia, who was born on July 11, 1913, died in exile in Oxford, United Kingdom, on August 28, 1978.

The Vice President on behalf of the people of Ghana later laid a wreath on his tombstone. Naa Morkor, Dr Busia's sister Akosua and Mr Steve Ntim, First Vice Chairman of the Brong Ahafo regional branch of the New Patriotic Party, also laid wreaths on behalf of the Busia Foundation, the family and party.

The Busia Foundation organised a month-long programme to commemorate the anniversary. This included a memorial lecture in his honour at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he was the first African Professor and first African Head of its Sociology Department. Senior Minister J. H. Mensah delivered the maiden lecture at the Great Hall of the University.

Additionally, an endowment fund for a Professorial Chair of Sociology at the University was launched. A 10-day photo-exhibition on the biography of Dr Busia opened at the National Theatre on Monday.