AKOTO is a Legend
Yesterday, the 16th edition of the Annual Re: Akoto Memorial Lectures was held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The well-organized and well-attended programme featured a number of dignitaries including the Former Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Hon. Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Renowned Economist, Mr. Kwame Pianim, Representatives of the Asantehene and Chief Justice, DCEs, Present and Former Ministers of States, MPs, Regional and Constituency party executives, Lawyers, students, as well as other important personalities from the political and academic fraternity.
This year’s edition of the Re: Akoto Memorial Lectures was under the theme: “THE LEGACY OF BAFFOUR AKOTO: A FAMILY MAN, A CHIEF AND A STATESMAN “
A comprehensive Keynote Address, detailing the LEGACY of the traditional and political icon, was delivered by the Honourable Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
The address by the Honourable Minister gave a riveting account of a legendary freedom fighter, a social and political advocate as well as a traditional icon whose memory the country continues to celebrate.
Other speakers highlighted the contributions of the Late Baffour Osei Akoto in entrenching Ghana’s multi party democracy and the struggle against dictatorship and tyranny in the early years of the country’s democracy.
The lecture once again, reminded the country how far we have come as a people and the sacrifices others such as the Late Baffour Akoto and the 7 others made in fighting for the vulnerable and the oppressed in the society.
More importantly, the Re: Akoto and the 7 others, which is an important landmark case in the history of the country, reminds us of the need to protect the fundamental human rights of every citizenry, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Participants were also reminded about how the Late Baffour Akoto singlehandedly founded and bankrolled the National Liberation Movement (NLM) and later joined by other political parties and stalwarts such as Dr. J. B Danquah, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia and others in the formation of the United Party tradition.
Speakers were therefore unanimous in their opinion about the need to HONOUR the Late Baffour Akoto for his role in the foundation of the UP tradition, which has now metamorphosed into the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and now spearheading Ghana’s economic transformation under the leadership of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.
The Family of the Late Baffour Osei Akoto is grateful to the Management of the Ghana School of Law, the Organizing Committee of the 16th Annual Memorial Lectures, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Former Speaker, Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Mr. Kwame Pianim, Members of the Ghana Bar Association, Ministers, MPs, MMDCEs, Regional and Constituency party executives and all participants who graced the occasion.
