Baffour Akoto Memorial Lectures: Let’s fight to get Baffour Akoto the national recognition he deserves-Kwame Pianim
A founding member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kwame Pianim has called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to fight to ensure that Baffour Akoto gets the national recognition he deserves.
He made this call as Chairman of the 2021 the ‘Re-Akoto Memorial Lectures’ at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on Wednesday.
He also indicated the need to set up a facility to memorialize Baffour Akoto where people could visit to learn and research about him.
The event which seeks to promote research, study and educate the citizenry on the development of Ghana’s constitutional democracy and human and people’s rights hosted many dignitaries and speakers who highlighted the importance of Baffour Akoto in the political and legal history of the country.
Former Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament; Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye who also spoke at the event entreated lawyers to rise and fight for the rights of others since they are protectors of Human rights. He attributed many human rights milestones to Baffour Akoto stating for instance that the multiparty democracy being enjoyed by Ghana forms part of his work.
The Chief Justice Anin Yeboah who was represented by Justice Sir Dennis Adjei praised Baffour Akoto as a celebrated Statesman who lived and fought for the rights of others. He stated that though he was a high ranking chief, Baffour Akoto did not use his position to exploit others. He recounted how the need to defend the constitution, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, protect and safeguard the environment was upheld by Baffour Akoto.
The highly patronized event saw many important speakers take turns to memorialize Baffour Akoto and what he stood for. A documentary on his life was also aired.
Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, who is also a son of Baffour Osei Akoto; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the main speaker of the event stated that “the life and works of Baffour Osei Akoto entreat us all to cultivate the virtue of courage to banish elements that may jeopardize the progress of the nation. He stressed that Baffour Osei Akoto did not have any sophisticated weapons to accomplish the legacies he is being celebrated for today and added that everyone has similar skills, ideas and knowledge needed to achieve remarkable feats. He expressed concern however about threats to “our lives and survival and the wellbeing of posterity” including corruption, environmental degradation, the fast eroding values including discipline, care for humanity and neighbourliness.
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