Obed’s book launched
A book that gives a detailed and historical record of Ghana’s political history spanning 1950 to 2013 has been launched in Accra.
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Titled: “The Political History of Ghana (1950-2013): The Experience of a Non-Conformist,” the 764-page book was authored by a former Foreign Minister and Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah.
The book gives an insight into the struggle between Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his political opponents in the period preceding the achievement of political independence for Ghana.
It also probes the events leading to his overthrow, and its effect on the path to Ghana’s political history.
A former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and former Prime Minister of Togo, Professor Edem Kodjo, wrote the foreword to the book.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Hannah Tetteh, launched the book on behalf of Prof. Kodjo at a ceremony attended by government officials, majority of them ambassadors.
Present at the gathering included a former Army Commander, General Arnold Quainoo, and the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho.
The first five copies of the book were auctioned for GH¢51, 000 with the first copy being sold at GH¢15,000.
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Ms Tetteh described the book as thought-provoking, educative and very instructive, which ought to be at the desk of any Ghanaian with the desire to trace Ghana’s political history.
According to her, the book epitomises the great work of a man whose intellectual achievements and contribution to the political history of Ghana deserve commendation.
“Although I have not entirely read the book, the pages I have so far covered have shed some interesting light on Ghana’s politics and also the life of Dr Obed Asamoah with respect to his experiences,” she said.
Ms Tetteh said the book threw light on Dr Asamoah’s evolution into a politician of no mean achievement during the establishment of the Fourth Republic and as the longest-serving Foreign Minister and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
He added that the book offered valuable information and laid the foundation for a healthy debate of past events and the problems facing Ghana.
About the book
A senior fellow of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso, who reviewed the book, tagged it as “valuable foundation for a healthy debate.”
According to him, the entire book gives a true account and picture of Ghana’s political history with the author “saying it as it is supposed to be said.”
Apart from the book giving a detailed account of Ghana’s political history, Dr Antwi-Danso, said it also illustrated the triumphs and tribulations of successive governments since 1950.
“It takes the reader’s mind straight into the events that happened during Ghana’s independence, the struggles faced by governments,” he said.
Author’s remarks
Dr Asamoah said the book refreshed the memory of readers, especially Ghanaians, with new insights into the struggle between Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his political opponents in the period preceding the achievement of political independence for Ghana.
He urged Ghanaians to carefully review, criticise and make their assessments of the work he had done, adding that “this is a clear account of my experience and therefore anybody else can use it to produce their own.”
However, Dr Asamoah used the occasion to urge the ambassadors to work extremely hard to ensure that Ghana’s image in the international world received commendation.
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