Busia Foundation To Get Busy

Accra, July 10, The board of trustees of the Busia Foundation, a private, non-governmental, non-profit policy issues and advocacy entity, today announced its incorporation. A statement from the foundation said it will assume that status on July eleven to honour the memory of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the second republic, on his 85th birthday. The foundation seeks primarily to propagate the ideas and ideals of Dr Busia and intends to endow appropriate academic positions in selected institutions in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa in Busia's name. It will provide grants, scholarships and bursaries for deserving students from Ghana and abroad. The release, signed by Mr Colin Essamuah, a lawyer and honorary secretary, said ''we believe that the propagation of the political ideals of Dr Busia are in consonance with his belief in the sustainability of democracy and human rights in Africa despite the dismal experience in his own lifetime. ''The establishment of the foundation is, therefore, proof of faith that the trusties and members of the organisation place in the capacity of the African to rise above his own experience and join the modern world.'' The foundation said it has drawn up an elaborate programme to mark the 85th birthday and 20th death anniversary of Dr Busia next year. It will open offices at Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast and Wenchi in Ghana and in London and New York to support its only office in Accra.