A Former Head of the Civil Service, Dr Alex Glover-Quartey, has urged Ghanaians to document their life experiences for the benefit of present and future generations, saying personal stories preserved knowledge and lessons that could otherwise be lost.
He said books provided a lasting record of people’s experiences, ideas and contributions to society, and encouraged those unable to write books to use smartphones to record their stories for their children and grandchildren.
Dr Glover-Quartey made the call at the launch of his 420-page autobiography, The Bureaucrat, in Accra last Wednesday an event which coincided with his birthday.
The event was chaired by veteran industrialist Tony Oteng-Gyasi, and attended by former Speaker of Parliament, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes; former Minister of Defence, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor; members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders, friends, family and members of the public.
It was launched by a former Diplomat and Politician, Esther Dzifa Ofori, who served as Ghana's Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea under former President Akufo-Addo.
Life in print
Dr Glover-Quartey said he began writing the book about 15 years ago after friends repeatedly encouraged him to document his childhood experiences.
He initially abandoned the project after losing most of his manuscript but later returned to it with the support of colleagues.
He said the process enabled him to reflect on his life and the people who had influenced him.
“It's important for you to reflect on the life you've lived. It's important for the generations that are around now because they will learn from it,” he said.
Review
Reviewing the book, former Dean of the School of Communications at the University of Ghana, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, described it as a candid and engaging account that went beyond a conventional career narrative.
She said the memoir offered valuable insights into family life, faith, education, politics and public administration, while honestly recounting the triumphs and vicissitudes of the author’s life.
Prof. Gadzekpo said the book’s account of Dr Glover-Quartey’s childhood, extended family and educational journey made it not only a personal memoir but also a useful social history.
A writer and co-reviewer, Rami Baitie, praised the book’s uncomplicated storytelling, humour and historical detail.
He described it as a valuable record of Ghana’s institutional history and a compelling account of a life devoted to public service, stressing that Dr Glover-Quartey’s childhood experiences provided a revealing picture of life on the Gold Coast, while his account of entering the civil service in 1976 offered insights into Ghana’s changing political and administrative systems.
Mr Baitie highlighted the author’s observation: “When loyalty shifts from the state to individuals, the system collapses from within.”
Background
Dr Alex Glover-Quartey was born in Koforidua in 1942. He had a career spanning teaching, academia and public administration and became a senior figure in Ghana’s civil service.
His autobiography, published by Kyei Amoako, chronicles his family life, education, faith, politics and public service, while reflecting on Ghana’s social and institutional development.
