Kufuor snubbed at BA @ 50 awards

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s name was excluded from the Brong Ahafo Region at 50 awards, even though other former Presidents were awarded with the Golden Shield.

Former Ghanaian Presidents awarded with the Golden Shield included Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings who came with his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to receive his award.

He was also given a kente cloth and a fat cow for his immense contribution to the development of the Brong Ahafo region.

The late Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia and Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah were also equally honoured.

Surprisingly, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who remains one of Ghana’s living Presidents and had contributed his quota to the development of the region during his eight year rule, had his name dropped from the list of those honoured.

The awards were meant for individuals and corporate bodies who had contributed in diverse ways to the development of the region over the past years. It was under the theme: “Achievements, Challenges and Prospects.”

One hundred and four (104) individuals, corporate bodies, journalists, queen mothers, media houses, politicians and industrialists were awarded for their roles.

The founding fathers of the Brong Ahafo region comprising seven prominent chiefs were also awarded.

They include: Nana Akumfi Ameyaw III, late Techimanhene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu I, the late Dormaahene, Nana Bosea Gyinantwi, the late Dormaahene and Nana Kwame Agyemang II, the late Abeasehene.

The rest were Nana Kwasi Apraku, the late Odomase Number 1 Omanhene, Nana Fosu Gyeabour I, the late Bechemhene and Nana Yaw Frimpong, the late Kukuomhene.

However, journalists who were invited to cover the programme were not given a place to sit. As a result of that many of the journalists decided to boycott the programme, but the Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists (GJA), Mr. Ian Mortey, had to intervene before journalists were given seats.

Mr. Charles Amoah, an elderly man in Sunyani, who expressed his views to the media, was not happy with the awards, the Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Committee that constituted the BA @ 50 Secretariat.

He explained that by living former President Kufuor’s name out of the awards it set a bad precedent for region.

“Are they saying Kufuor did not do anything for the region?,” he questioned.

According to the elder statesman, former President Kufuor did a lot for the region. He said the former President during his 8 year rule created new districts to ensure development; built schools and brought many projects also to the Brong Ahafo region.

“Are they teaching the youth that it is not worth dying for one’s nation? From day one of the BA @ 50 celebrations, politics have taken the better part of it. Posterity would definitely judge,” he stressed.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Hon. Collins Dauda; Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Chiefs, Queen mothers and supporters of the NDC who were there in their party colours.

BY MICHAEL AFUM, SUNYANI