Conversations With My Father launched

A book that chronicles the life of Ghana’s First Minister of Agriculture and Brong Ahafo’s first Regional Commissioner, Mr Kwame Boahene Yeboah-Afari, has been launched in Accra.

The book, Conversations With My Father; a biography of B. Yeboah-Afari (Ghana’s First Minister of Agriculture and Brong Ahafo’s first Regional Commissioner) documents the life history of a young political activist who played a pivotal role in the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region.

Authored by the renowned journalist and daughter of the former commissioner, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, the 300-page book walks the reader through the intricacies and complexities of life and how to overcome them, using the late Yeboah-Afari’s examples.

It teaches themes such as patience, perseverance and love and above all, service to humanity.

The piece is also laced with interesting reasons why Yeboah-Afari, whose political career spanned between 1950 and 1962, believed in the ideals and beliefs of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

It was reviewed by the Board Chairman of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Prof. Kwame Karikari.

Conversations With My Father was published by Digibooks Ghana Limited, and sponsored by Royal Senchi Hotel and the Volta River Estates Limited (VREL).

Launch

The book was launched by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who also auctioned the first copy at GH¢10,000.

Prof. Karikari, who is also the Dean of the School of Communication Studies at the Wisconsin International University College, was full of praises for the author for the exploits.

According to him, the piece would serve as a source of encouragement to generations yet unborn.

He described the late Mr Yeboah-Afari as one who loved his country, and was always prepared to serve with all of his heart, noting that the author’s vivid description of her father was captivating and inviting.

“Ajoa’s book contributes largely to the founding fathers’ conversation that the nation finds itself in currently,” Prof Karikari, added.

Inspiration for writing

In her welcome address, Ms Yeboah-Afari said her father demonstrated a high sense of patriotism and love for his country, the reason she had to share the inspiration with the rest of the world.

“This book is the product of conversations I tape-recorded with my father some 27 years ago. But the inspiration to write about my father came when he was detained for about six weeks in 1989,” she emphasised.

Some family members at the programme, including the former Electoral Commissioner, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, shared fond memories of the former minister of state.

He described Mr Yeboah-Afari as an innovator, a committed and selfless politician, a tutor and disciplinarian who always ensured the right thing was done at all times.

The Akwamuhene, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, who chaired the function, also encouraged children to have conversations with their parents and put them into writing.