Remembering William Ofori Atta - A model of peace, unity and reconciliation
Sunday, July 14, 2013 marked 25 years of the passing on of William Eugene Ofori-Atta, one of the ‘Big Six’ who was fondly called Paa Willie.
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Owing to the influence of his father, Nana Sir Ofori-Atta, in the establishment of the Prince of Wales College (now the Achimota School) in 1927, William and his brother were transferred there in 1929. There, he was admitted to Form 5 and his form mates were Edward Akufo-Addo and Komla Agbeli Gbedemah.
These three were the first candidates to be presented for the Cambridge School Certificate Examination in 1930 and they were all successful. William went on to take his intermediate Arts Degree in 1930. While at Achimota, William grew more attached to his uncle (his father’s half brother), Dr J.B. Danquah, the doyen of Gold Coast politics, who was at that time the editor of the Times of West Africa. William contributed a number of articles to the paper, making evident his patriotism, anti-imperialism and wit. He became the first senior prefect of the college in 1932.
In 1934, William accompanied his father as a private secretary in a high-powered delegation to the United Kingdom to protest against the Water Works and Sedition Bills. He was subsequently admitted to the Queen’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1938. He was a member of the Cambridge University Democratic Front and gave speeches against colonialism and shared the same platform with Stafford Cripps, Creech Jones, George Padmore and Jomo Kenyatta.
On his return home, he taught at the Achimota School from 1939 until 1943. As a conscientious and devoted teacher, Paa Willie inspired and influenced his students by his learning and charming personality. He prepared his lessons assiduously and delivered them with stunning clarity, wit and humour. Today, one can identify many of Paa Willie’s former students who have distinguished themselves in various fields of our national life.
Among his illustrious History, Civic and Twi students were Dr Silas Dodoo, Dr Yaw Asirifi, Dr Badoe, Victor Owusu, R.R. Amponsah, K.B. Asante, Justice Francois, Justice Patrick Anin, Dr Leticia Asihene, Mrs Frances Ademola, Miss Getrude Vardon, Mrs Gloria Amon-Nikoi, A.B.N. Andrews and Dr Kwarko. In his Economics class were Justice Azu Crabbe, Justice Sowah, Justice Lassey, J.K. Lamptey (his former classmate), Reverend C.K. Dovlo, E.R. Madjitey, Robert Ampaw, Professor Twum Barimah, among others.
Paa Willie later left Achimota College owing to what he termed as ‘obstructionist policies’. This notwithstanding, his interest in education was unwavering and this took him to the Abuakwa State College. Back home at Kyebi, he worked for the Okyeman State Council. He served first as State Secretary until 1944, State Treasurer until 1947 and later as Principal of the Abuakwa State College.
In 1947, while still serving as the Principal, Paa Willie and a few courageous nationalists formed the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C.), which gave birth to the organised nationalist struggle for independence. He was one of the signatories that sent the historic telegram to the British Government during the February, 1948 uprising against the colonial administration of the Gold Coast and this led to his arrest and detention on March 13,1948, together with other leaders of the nationalist struggle who became known as the Big Six’. One colossal attribute that stands to Paa Willie’s credit is that “he brought to politics a new breath of sincerity, integrity, honesty and modesty”. He went through the rough and tumble of politics with equanimity and humour and never abandoned his principles even in the face of defeat, adversity and danger (and there were many). His major preoccupation was service to his country and fellow Ghanaians. It was in this spirit that he served in several public offices as the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports in the second Republic, the Chairman of the Cocoa Marketing Board, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Council of State in the third Republic.
William Ofori-Atta was a great man. Often, the greatness of a man is distilled from riches by the work of scholars long after the people are gone but in the case of Paa Willie, his shinning qualities were there for all to see during his lifetime, hence the general admiration and reverence accorded him wherever he went. Through the crucible of political strife, the name ‘Paa Willie’ glowed with respect and endearment not just because of his age, but for his general contribution to the political, educational, religious, traditional humanitarian and social life of the nation. Indeed, he was one of the great parliamentarians of modern Ghana and his oratorical powers found receptive ears even though his political conclusions might not be acceptable to all. Nevertheless it was a joy to listen to him in Parliament.
Paa always held Parliament spellbound when he was in his elements. When it came to the big debates, he was excellent; the vastness of his knowledge and the fluency with which he spoke, even his biting sarcasm was so mellowed as not to incite violence, and his witticisms were contagious. This quality is a rare commodity in today’s politics, which is all too often marred with acrimony and disrespect, especially on the airwaves.
Finally, Paa Willie stood for national reconciliation and unity, something Ghana needs today more than ever before. What is Paa Willie’s legacy to the people of Ghana? Silver and gold he did not amass, but rather demonstrated great qualities in his lifetime which are fit for emulation today. Such qualities include patriotism, character, hardwork, humility, compassion, steadfastness, perseverance, good naturedness, the thirst for education and freedom and the desire for national reconciliation and unity.
His quest for national unity and understanding was not only exemplified in his formation of the United National Convention (UNC), but it also found ample expression in his speeches, sermons and conversations. A little reflection would convince us that without national unity, understanding and political stability, all effort at national advancement would be stillborn; full of frustration and disappointment and could only help to drive away our best brains to seek a newer life elsewhere and, worst yet, lead to political strife at a great cost to the nation.
The call to Ghanaians to model Paa Willie’s life of peace, unity and reconciliation is not one that is premised on an abstract figure but the reality of his difficult experiences in his political career. He was detained five times without trial and it was during one of those detentions that he underwent an experience that changed his life in 1964 - he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour.
This spiritual experience made it possible for him to forgive the people who detained him. He even admitted that it was for his own good that he was detained as this gave him the opportunity to have a personal encounter with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This transformed his perception of his detainers from being enemies to benefactors, hence, bearing them no grudge and leading such an exemplary life.
The Ghana Bar Association and the then President of the association, Peter Ala Adjetey, said of him: “Paa Willie was a politician who devoted his whole life to true Freedom in this country. He was not particularly enamoured of cheap popularity or the lure of wealth and influence. To him, just like his uncle, Dr J. B. Danquah, the acquisition of worldly possessions was of little importance. Of him, it can be said in the immortal words of William Shakespeare ‘This is a Man’.
Let us conclude this tribute to this great man yet to be honoured such as any of the other Big Six with this: Paa Willie’s ideology was love for his fellow countrymen and country, Ghana, which he believed in and served, and its great people. On this occasion of remembering him after 25 years of his death, may we, as a people, actively learn to forgive one another and live in unity and peace.
By Emmanueul Anukun-Dabson & Ken Ofori-Atta
