By William Yaw Owusu
Friday, December 19, 2014
A book titled: ‘The
Political History of Ghana (1950-2013) The Experience of a Non-Conformist’,
authored by Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, a former Foreign Minister and later Attorney
General in the erstwhile NDC regime attracted huge patronage at its official
launch on Wednesday.
The 762-page book
which has nine chapters and published by Author House UK Limited in Indiana
United States, tackles extensively Ghana’s political journey from
pre-independence, post-independence through to the current democratic
dispensation.
Scores of dignitaries
including ministers of state, diplomats, former security capos attended the
colourful launch at the Accra International Conference Centre where he raked in
good money.
The first copy of the
book was bought for a whopping GH¢15,000 followed by another copy bought for
GH¢10,100 as well as several other copies bought between GH¢9,000 and GH¢2,000.
Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso,
a Senior Research Fellow of Legon Centre for International Affairs and
Diplomacy (LECIAD) at the University of Ghana who reviewed the book described Dr. Asamoah as an “indispensable
variable of Ghana politics.”
He said the book was
“sets a valuable foundation for a healthy debate about Ghana politics,” adding
“he takes himself out of the book and this is a down-to-earth tribute for him.”
He said “if you want
to capture Ghana’s political history in an unbiased form then this is the book
for you.”
Dr. Antwi-Danso said
the book is “rich in detail” and “academically stimulating” adding “it is a
one-stop book and it is highly recommended.”
Foreign Minister
Hannah Tetteh who took the place of Edem Kodjo, former Togolese Prime Minister
and former Secretary-General of the defunct Organization of Africa Unity (OAU)
now Africa Union (AU) to do the official launching commended the author for
shaping Ghana’s foreign policy as Minister.
“Dr. Asamoah as
minister helped to shape our current foreign policy and how the ministry
conducts its own business,” she said adding that the author portrayed a number
of events in Ghana ‘dispassionately’ in the book.
He said the book is
rich in terms of foreign policy thinking but admitted it was going to generate
debate in the political landscape due to some of the issues raised which she
termed ‘somewhat’ controversial.
Reading a statement
from the former Togolese who could not attend the launch because he had
travelled to Congo Brazaville, Ms. Tetteh described the book as “the most
comprehensive history to date in the Rawlings era.”
The author, Dr.
Asamoah who broke ranks with the NDC to form the now defunct Democratic Freedom
Party (DFP) said “It is only important to note from the title of the book
that I am recording my experience which may be different from that of others.”
He said “My speech is not primarily
concerned about the reason why we are here. I have finished my work. It is now
up to others to review, criticize, make their assessments of the work or
produce their own.
The veteran
politician said “I started public life as a lecturer in law and I am
ending it doing academic work.”
He also delved into
the recent happenings on the global politico-economic front and tasked Ghana’s ambassadors,
envoys and diplomats to take advantage of the current world order to place
Ghana right in global affairs.
“It is tempting to see the work of an Ambassador as
an occasion for partying and high living. There is more to it than that,” he
said adding “Even when partying serious diplomatic work can and is done
promoting the interest of your country and gathering intelligence, particularly
as alcohol loosens the tongues of many of your colleagues.”
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