Centenary celebration of Dr. K.A Busia begins this week

The centenary celebration of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia (July 11, 1913-August 28, 1978), Prime Minister of the Second Republic, will officially commence this Thursday, July 11, 2013, in Accra.

The Busia Foundation International, which is leading the planning of activities to mark 100 years of the late former Head of State, announced Monday, “The year long celebrations will begin with docufilm excerpts and a forum on the life and works of Dr. Busia at the African Regent Hotel on Thursday, July 11 at 6:00-9:00pm”.

Speakers include former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo–Addo; 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Busia’s youngest sister; Madam Amma Busia and Prof. Abena A. A. Busia-one of the daughters of the late Prime Minister.

Also expected to be in attendance, are some members of Dr. Busia’s Administration.

According to the Busia Foundation, “a celebration of Dr. Busia’s faith and works will be held at the Calvary Methodist Church, Adabraka on Friday, July 12, from 10:30am-12-30pm”.

Dr. Busia who was Prime Minister from 1969 to 1972, is fondly remembered for his advocacy of the rule of law, civic education, good governance and his establishment of the Ministry of Rural Development.

On the academic front, Dr. Busia, an Oxford Scholar, was the first African professor and Department Chair at the University of Ghana, Legon. He held chairs at universities in Europe and the Americas.

“Dr. Busia remains a great source of inspiration to leaders and scholars the world over,” the Foundation said.

Dr. Busia led the Progress Party in 1969 to win the parliamentary elections with 104 of the 105 seats contested. This paved the way for him to become the next Prime Minister.

His government was, however, overthrown on 13 January 1972 by the military, led by Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong while Busia was in Britain for a medical check-up. Busia died from a heart attack in 1978.