Ghana's Pride & Glory: Biographies of some eminent Ghanaian personalities and Sir Gordon Guggisberg
Within 386 pages, the author gives account of the history of 69 individuals, and through that provides food for thought about how these individuals helped in shaping the history of Ghana.
Advertisement
The thrust of the book started as a newspaper column. The series ran for nearly two years, coming out week after week. Being what it is, the language is simple and straightforward. Thus it is recommended as a leisure reading.
The persons profiled in the series are diverse, starting with King Osei Tutu 1, founder of the Asante Kingdom and Governor Asameni, an Akwamu leader who could be credited with the first coup d’etat in Ghana and the legendary Yaa Asantewaa.
The choice of subject for review cast across a wide range of individuals from traditional leaders, political leaders and professionals from all walks of life who distinguished themselves, such as Prof Charles Odamtten Easmon, Justice Annie Jiagge, Efua Theodora Sutherland, Dr Letitia Obeng and Rosamond Helen Mancell among others.
The book is not divided into chapters, but the sequence moves from one personality to the other. More important, the acknowledgement is at the end of the book marking another feature which must encourage readers.
Basically because it started as a newspaper column, there is not much referencing as is the case with textbooks, nonetheless the quality of the information presented is high and thus is most helpful to researchers and students of history who would want to read historical facts stated in as simple a language and in a format that is readily assimilated.
Indeed, Ghana’s Pride and Glory is not just a chronicle of historical facts, but also provides the untold story of the global success attained by some Ghanaians, long before we became a nation state, such as Dr Raphael Ernest Armattoe, who was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology, Prof Wilhem Amo, an Nzema born in 1703 who became a professor in four leading European universities.
It is also interesting to note that just as the Danish Governor ran through a window to escape from the hands of Asameni in 1693, Lt Gen A.A.Ankrah equally jumped through the same window in 1967 to escape a coup attempt.
It is also interesting to note that at the funeral of President Edward Akufo on May 5, 1980, a tribute paid by then Chief Justice F.K.Apaloo predicted that one of his sons would bring greater glory to the family and the count and honour, but may leave behind a reputation no less enviable than his father’s. He said at the time that “there is also the fact, comforting in itself that two of his male children he left behind, one has chosen his profession and if present indications are any guide, will not only keep ablaze the family name and honour, but may leave behind a reputation no less enviable than his father.” That son is Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic and who would, God willing, be the special guest of honour at the launch of the book at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences on Monday, May 9, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.
It is interesting to find out how Asameni deceived the Danes and succeeded in controlling the Osu Castle for a year, lavishing in the position as Governor and how he carried the keys to the Castle and handed them over to the Akwamuhene.
You would also find out that the wife of Governor Guggisberg predicted that the Peduase area would be a suitable site for a holiday resort. Today our Peduase Lodge sits at the site which as a surveyor she found to be a suitable place for relaxation.
If you want to read the history of certain individuals who helped in shaping the destiny of our country, both pre and post -independence, Ghana’s Pride and Glory will be of help.
Since it is by getting a copy of the book and reading that individuals will be able to assess and evaluate the quality of the information contained therein and see what Aidoohene Blay Chinbuah has contributed to the literature of Ghana, I recommend that we all get copies to read and enrich our sense of history in very simple and every day English rendition.
Author of the book: Aidoohene Blay Chinbuah