A Memoir of Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor
Gold Cost Boy is the story of a boy who grew up in Ashanti New Town, Kumasi, during the Gold Coast era; an account that gives snapshots of the early life of a young boy whose father was the Oyokohene of Kumasi, and whose mother’s lineage stretches back to the time of Osei Tutu I, founder of the Ashanti Kingdom.
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I was surprised to see a descendant of the old Ashanti-Denkyira rivalry, how the author’s ancestral grandmother travelled from Denkyira to become the wife of Osei Tutu, to be followed by successive kings taking wives from that household, the Apagyafie.
More intriguing is the story of Kotoko Ameyaw, the brother-in-law of Osei Tutu who became a general in the Ashanti army, and fought on the side of the Ashantis to defeat his native Denkyiras at Feyiase.
An appropriate name for the book, Gold Coast Boy is also the unfolding story of Ghana since the author was born in 1940, the early days of independence agitations in Ghana. Parts of Ghana’s history come alive in this book, especially relating to the political tensions of the time. The author’s father had remarked, “How can we entrust the resources of a great state to young people who have not made anything of their lives?” He maintained that “a young person must ‘make something of his life’ before attempting to rule a state,” alluding to Kwame Nkrumah’s bid to rule Ghana at such a young age of 39.
Educational background
Like many famous Ghanaians of the day, the author attended Achimota School. He, however, deserted his Sixth Form programme in arts and travelled to Cambridge to pursue a degree in medicine.
How an arts student can switch to science, not just at any ordinary institution, but Cambridge at that, and not just to read something such as Physics or Geology, but Medicine is a testament to the author’s determination and also the quality of Ghana’s foundational education of the time.
In one of his Cambridge class photographs, the author points a red arrow to indicate himself in the group picture. He is actually the only black person in the group, a further attestation of determination and fortitude. The author completed medical school, practised medicine in the UK before returning to Ghana to work at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. He opted to work at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital instead, a bid to avoid having anything to do with the military. He later opened his private hospital in Kumasi, Kufuor Clinic. He also served as President of the Ghana Medical Association during the Rawlings regime, a time the group embarked on a national strike; you guessed it, for better conditions of service! This is 1994; it looks like Ghanaians don’t learn any lessons at all.
Politics
The latter part of Gold Coast Boy is about politics in Ghana. The author writes, ironically, that, the ruling PNDC that had opposed the return to democratic rule was itself involved in the planning of the transition, and its chairman, Jerry Rawlings, had plans to become the next elected president. Thus, it was convenient for the regime to preposition itself favourably towards the elections before lifting the ban on party politics. The regime cleverly metamorphosed into a political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The electoral field could not be even, from registration of voters, to polling and to counting of ballots. Moreover, the regime had given only six months for the parties to campaign, when its own candidate, Jerry Rawlings, and the government at large had the whole state machinery at their disposal for the campaign.
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What follows is the struggle between an emerging opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) headed by Prof. Adu Boahen and a military dictatorship that has transformed itself into a political party with a code of secrecy at its core.
Appointment as Minister of Defence
The last segment of the book is about the author’s appointment as Minister of Defence. For a person who had initially declared, “I am not interested in military affairs,” he sure did well for the military. Earlier in this position, he became the acting Minister of the Interior as well during the Dagbon crisis, when the Dagbon king was killed along with 30 of his followers in Yendi. By any standard, he did well in both ministries. One will not miss from reading the Gold Coast Boy that of all the achievements of the author, his service as Minister of Defence was the closest to his heart. Indeed, that segment of his life could fill many pages in a separate book. Among his proud achievements are:
Burma Hall Complex:
Funded by UN Peacekeeping Operations Account of the Ghana Armed forces and 1.2 million dollars grant from the government of China.
Beijing Barrack:
Funded by the Government of China to provide accommodation for 100 service families; it was formally commissioned by Deputy Minister of Trade of the people’s Republic of China, H.E. Wei Jian Guo in 2004.
Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Centre
Supported by German Ambassador, Harald Loeschner and funded by the Government of Germany at the cost of $1.5 million with auxiliary support from US, UK, and EU.
Ministry of Defence building
The author managed to convince his Chinese counterpart to build a miniature of his ministry building in Ghana as a sign of friendship. This cause was championed by Gen. Chi Hao Tian, the Minister of Defence of China. This building cost $1.7 million, fully funded by the government of China. Ghana had to provide room and board and transportation for the 42 Chinese construction workers.
Post Graduate Medical College at 37 Military Hospital
Collaboration and Support from India
Doing more with less
The author takes time to highlight the background of his colleagues in the Kufuor administration. Ironically, one person who stands out in terms of allocation of space is Nana Akufo Addo, the current flag bearer of the NPP.
The author decries the increasing number of young people who get into politics for money. He states, of late, a number of people, especially some young people, go into politics via organisations such as NUGS (National Union of Ghana Students) and, through aggressive party political activism, get elected or appointed to public office. Some of these people get into politics either for employment or as a means of achieving instantaneous wealth, fame or both. To such people, losing political office or an election is a personal tragedy that must be avoided at any cost; the possibility of civil strife or serious security threat to the state, not excluded.
A political opponent in such a situation becomes a dangerous enemy. This attitude engenders desperation and intolerance in the body politic; and is a danger to the long-term survival of democratic governance.
Interestingly, the author’s admonition is an echo from the past, the same sentiments his father expressed about Kwame Nkrumah and the youth who were in politics.
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Gold Coast Boy is a testament to the fact that great achievements can be made in politics without money. By dedication, integrity and sincerity, the author was able to convince others to help Ghana. If I were to pick an alternative title for the book, it would be “Doing more with less.” This book should serve as an inspiration and guide for those who want to serve in government. I wished for more insights from the author, especially about the inner workings of his brother’s government and how certain major decisions were made.
A good read overall.