The Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin has thrown his weight behind the government of President Akufo-Addo in the midst of the current micro fiscal challenges confronting the country.
According to the revered chief of the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area, it is no secret that the country is faced with difficulties, but he expressed optimism that “this one too will pass.”
The Okyenhene was speaking last Wednesday at the inaugural memorial lecture in honor of late Okyenhene Ba, Dr Jones Akwasi Amoako Atta, who died on November 30, 2020.
Referencing the life and legacy of his stool son to the current challenges in the country, the Okyenhene said countries had developed not necessarily because of what they have, but how they were able to put those in good use.
However, the Okyenhene opined that regardless of the fact that the situation the country is in would phase off, truth, equity and good men would triumph over lies and evil. He did not explain.
He said “These are difficult times in our country. And as the President says, this one too will pass. And let me say that consequently notwithstanding; truth, equity, and good men will triumph over lies and evil and bad people all the time. And if you don’t believe it just keep on living. It may be darkness tonight, but we have the capacity to light the candle and show the way where our foot is going to be landed. So we were not worried so much about what is happening but we care. But we have again what it takes…the bible says in Psalm 35 [that] wiping may endure at night but joy cometh in the morning. And with that there will be a new birth of hope in this country trust me…”
The Okyenhene, who was giving a royal eulogy, said he knew about the man, from when little Jones Akwasi Amoako Atta Ofori-Atta was brought to the place to grow up.
He recalled that in his old age, Dr Jones insisted that he was sent to Kyebi to live there, explaining that the man’s heart was deeply connected to where he came from.
The Okyenhene used that scenario to called on indigenes to “go back home” and help. He said that people with wealth should not forget where they come from, citing that they could go back to check on their primary school teachers for instance.
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Addo, in giving a tribute to his niece, said that the late Dr Jones believed that government which does not allow people to express themselves freely, “was never a good government.”
He added that the former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr Jones, was a strong believer of the market economy that the state directed or managed economies does not succeed.
What he wanted to do was to set a system in place where private enterprise; the work of entrepreneurs, private people properly motivated, will be the way to develop economies.
“But being who he was, determined always to go forward in the Parliament of the 3rd Republic he distinguished himself. He distinguished himself with an incident that came to have long lasting repercussions for our constitutional and political development…”
President Akufo-Add was referring to when the Member of Parliament for Begoro Constituency (1969-1972 and 1979-1981), Dr Jones put together forces to vote down the budget of Dr Hilla Liman, the first time in the nation’s history.
The President believed Dr Jones, given his history, has made an indelible imprint on the politics of Ghana since he entered politics.
At the lecture, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Chair of the Governing Council of UG, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo as well as retired Professor of the Department of History, UG, Robert Yaw Addo-Fening all took turns to say some few words.
The lecture itself was given by the Seventh Speaker of Parliament, who is also a retired head, department of Political Science, UG, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, on the theme “The life of a fearless Ghanaian patriot.”
At the lecture, there was an announcement of intent to endow a chair and fund an academic award, as well as to fund a leadership award.
