Counsels From The HillTop

Author: Kofi Otutu Labi
Pages: 132
Publisher: Step Publishers, Accra-North, Ghana
Distribution: Amazon; all leading bookshops in Ghana
Foreword: Justice (Prof.) Nii Ashie Kotey (JSC)
Reviewer: Nii Addokwei Moffatt
Price: GH¢60

Today I have the opportunity to review Counsels From The HillTop, the third in the tetralogy of the HillTop Series by Kofi Otutu Labi, two of which have already been reviewed in this paper. All four, namely, Conversations From The HillTop, Timeless Wisdom From The HillTop, Counsels From The Hilltop and Living With Purpose — HillTop Perspectives, were launched at an impressive ceremony on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences auditorium in Accra. 

To counsel means to give direction or helpful suggestions regarding a decision or future course of action; it also means to give advice. The title therefore, in a way, gives away the objective of this book. 

Kofi Otutu  Labi is a Lawyer, management consultant, author, church elder, teacher and a preacher and his intention was to enable readers to acquire the kind of orientation he had been speaking and writing about, since many people had expressed the wish that if they had had such counsels early on, it would have been beneficial to them.  

Kofi is known to have been an advisor not only to two governors of the Bank of Ghana but a counselor to thousands of people who devour his books, now 14 in all, and are blessed with golden nuggets that teach and advise them on the various issues and subjects he writes on.

This book is not the only book that contains his counsels. All his books have tons of pieces of advice and so, for me, the choice of the title of this book suggests that the counsels in this book were carefully and specially selected to serve a purpose.

Ten chapters of this book, have a total of 289 counsels. Twenty-one in the first chapter, 29 in the second, 22 in the third, 20 in the fourth, nine in the fifth, 33 in the sixth, 31 in the seventh and eighth, 37 in the ninth and 56 in the 10th and all that talks only of topics and not the explanations that elaborate on the topics and its benefits.

In the Foreword by Justice Prof. Ashie Kotey of the Supreme Court of Ghana, he mentioned that he was pleased that Counsels From The HillTop, inculcates wisdom even from the time of creation, with relevant scripture references, woven neatly between texts.

He also explained that one of his favourite parts of this book, “Is when the author addresses the need to have rational expectations. As a judge, I know first-hand the harm done when lawyers fail to properly prepare their clients for the many possible legal outcomes of a case. Many old people have suffered for their unrealistic dreams, yet many young people continue to dream such dreams”.

Perspectives

The author is blessed with extremely knowledgeable individuals whose perspectives of various sections of the book adequately prepares the reader for what he is to expect in the book. Their endorsements in itself are another joy to look forward to.

Language

Using very simple language, he draws on his interactions and experiences with people and places and taps on his vast knowledge and expertise as a lawyer, teacher, reacher, Church Elder and writer, to succinctly put across his many nuggets of wisdom, conversations, counsels, others, which have become invaluable to his readers as gems of knowledge and lessons for life.

Let me now touch on a few of his many counsels enumerated in this priceless book without any elaboration due to space constraints. Under the topic, Tips for Daily Living, he urges his readers to take control of their lives with simple and basic principles, so each day would become meaningful. 

Kofi looks at Self-Discipline, Spending habits, Eating Habits, and Management Of Time and puts together, Conquer Self, Do Something, That First Step, Question Yourself, Stop Wasting Time, Have a Vision for Yourself etc., under Key To Greatness. 

New Year Jottings come with Count On The Grace of God, Give God the Glory, What You See Is What You Get, Don’t Limit God and Don’t Listen To The Voice of Discouragement, Stop Paying Attention To The Daily Noises, God Will Not Do For You, What You Are Expected To Do For Yourself among others.

The importance of finance is emphasised under the heading, Counsels On Finances, To The Young And Not-So-Young. Nothing is left out as one journeys through this book and I have not stopped wondering at the depth of knowledge of this writer and his zest for writing and I have not stopped wishing that I had the energy he has for undertaking this ardours chore.  “If wishes were horses…”.

Education

Kofi Otutu Adu Labi was educated at Ofori Panim, Achimota School, University of Ghana and Bradford School of Management. He also studied at Georgetown University Law Center, the International Law Institute (Washington DC), the Cranfield School of Management and London Business School and an aluminus of the Haggai Institute for Advanced Leadership, Hawaii.

He has held a number of directorships on a number of high-flying companies and also served as a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church, Education Foundation, among many others. 

He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) and has written 14 books of which seven have so far been endorsed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) as supplementary readers for schools in Ghana.

Kofi Otutu Adu Labi was a household name on What Do You Know? A quiz programme organised by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He was Champion of Champions in 1973 and 1974 and Super Champion of Champions in 1975 to climax GBC’s 40th anniversary.

Review

In conclusion, let me end this review by reproducing a few paragraphs from a couple of endorsements urging you to pick a copy. Len Attewel, a former Head of Internal Audit, UK and Ireland, International Consolidated Airlines Group, says, “This is a book rich in useful and practical advice on how one may get the best out of life, and everybody must have one on their bookshelf”.

Magnus Lincoln Quarshie, Past President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), also has this to say, “This book, call it nuggets or tablets, encapsulates not only beatitudes but also do-attitudes. 

It suggests convincingly simple ideas to character development and daily actions for living. It is a must-read but not like another story book. They said it all. Get a copy for you and yours. Cheers!

Reviewers E-mail: niiaddokwei@yahoo.com