Busia Foundation to establish school and scholarship scheme

Wenchi (B/A), Aug 29, GNA- The Busia Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), set up to celebrate the life of the former Prime Minister, late Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, will set up a second-cycle institution and a scholarship scheme for needy students. Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Vice Chairman of the Foundation, told newsmen at a family gathering and Remembrance Service to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dr Busia's death. The laste Dr Busia was in office from 1969 to 1972 when he was overthrown.

In attendance were the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Madam Ama Busia, member of the Council of State and sister of the late Premier, Professor Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Railways, Ports and Harbours, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nana Owusu Nsiah and Naa Morkor Busia, widow of the late Premier and her children.

Also present were Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister and his Deputy Mr Yaw Adjei-Duffour, Mr Kofi Edusei, Deputy Minister of Women and Children, Chiefs and people of Wenchi Traditional and some activists of the New Patriotic Party.

Dr Akoto said the Foundation, which has a 12-member Board of Trustees headed by Mr K.G. Osei Bonsu, a Minister in the Busia regime, was set up five years ago to promote the ideals and ideas of Dr Busia. He said the Foundation will raise funds through voluntary contributions by the public and organizations to enable it achieve its objective.

He said Dr Busia was a top scholar and academician, a successful politician and a leading member of the Methodist Church where he was a lay preacher.

Vice President Mahama paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of Wenchi Traditional Area, Osagyefo Ampem Abrefa Mbore Bediatuo V1, who acknowledged the worthy contributions Dr Busia made towards Ghana's development.

''Dr Busia has done a lot for Ghana and we in Wenchi as well as all Ghanaians need to recognize and commend him for the positive impact that his short reign made on the country's development'', the Omanhene said. Nana Bediatuo said it is historic that the late Premier hailed from Wenchi and expressed the hope that the Kufour government, which had made it possible for Dr Busia's contributions to be formally recognized "will do what Busia was not allowed to do for the country."

He mentioned lack of good drainage system in the area and the re-opening of the Wenchi Tomato Factory, which will reduce unemployment in the area.

He pledged the support and co-operation of the chiefs and people for the government in its efforts to develop the rural areas.

Mr S.K. Num, a 85-year-old retired teacher and ex-serviceman, described as a friend of Dr Busia, said the late Premier lived up to expectation as the best University Scholar In Africa.

Armed with documents which he intermittently referred to whilst the large audience waited in patience to prove his relationship with the late Premier, the octogenarian appealed to the government to complete projects that Dr Busia envisaged for the Wenchi area.

The family and children of Dr Busia gave moving tributes in honour of the man who died in exile in England following his overthrow in a coup.