Book on Ghana’s political history launched

He was in the thick of events or had a deep insight into some of the issues recounted vividly in the book.

In My Ghanaian Odyssey, the author also opens up to readers the difficult circumstances he faced during his childhood and adolescent life, trekking several kilometres daily to attend school.

After dropping out of polytechnic, he had to go through the drudgery of menial jobs, such as being a lotto receiver, an ‘aplanke’ (driver’s mate) and watchman.

The President of the Central University College (CUC), Professor Kwesi Yankah, who reviewed the book, described it as “a carefully crafted novel full of drama and intrigues”.

He said the book was educative, brilliant, pulsating and provocative, adding that it was of high significance to Ghana’s political history.

Prof Yankah, who is a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, said My Ghanaian Odyssey is a must-read and recommended it to scholars, students and the public.

Dr Agyeman-Duah said he was motivated to write the book because he believed some experiences were worth sharing.

He expressed the hope that it would inspire readers to achieve their aspirations in life, irrespective of their circumstances.

Looking back at the difficulties he went through during childhood and how he was able to surmount the odds and rise to his present status, he said, “We should not allow our circumstances to define our future.”

Dr Agyeman-Duah said he did not bear any ill-motive in writing the book, adding that he rather sought to advance public knowledge by sharing some of the experiences he had had.

The Director of the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), Prof Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, who chaired the ceremony, said Dr Agyeman-Duah’s life story was an indication that one could achieve a lot in life, even in the face of daunting challenges.

She said another lesson drawn from the book was the need to nurture peace in the country because peace did not just happen.

 “Peace is to a nation what oxygen is to humans,” she said.

A member of the Council of State and business tycoon, Alhaji Asoma Banda, who launched the book, urged students and the public to patronise it for their edification and led the way by grabbing the first copy of the book for GHc1,000.

Story: Kofi Yeboah