Addo Kufuor At 85 (Appreciation, Recognition, Admiration And Affirmation)

“Count your age by friends, not years, Count your life by smiles, not tears” – John Lennon

ADDO-KUFUOR IS 85! HALLELUJAH! AMEN! All relations, far and near; all the great people (young and old) of Darbaa, all friends and well-wishers, all the worshippers at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, all the people of Manhyia Constituency will recall with relish the words of William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet: “My bounty is as boundless as the sea; My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.”

Great is the man whose mother, Nana Ama Ampomah (Dapaa) and father Nana Kojo Agyekum III, Oyokohene of Kumasi named Kwame (a Saturday born), even though he was born on Sunday (Kwasi), and he would drop the Christian (Anglican) name of Philip for Kwame.

Magnanimous is the man who would visit his home-town, Darbaa, where his ancestors lived on their arrival from Denkyira — to organise a “small party” for the townsfolk during festive occasions.

The headmaster there would give him a list of bright but needy school children, and he would offer them financial support. He was a clever student himself, and his uncle, Nana Owusu Afriyie III, Apagyahene got him to Achimota, “the institution for ambitious youth”, after passing through Asem Government Boys’ School and Osei Tutu Boarding School at Akropong, Ashanti.

A bright student himself who often had his essay read in class, he would get whipped for wrong answers at ‘mental’ and ‘dictation’.

Distinguished Addo-Kufuor did his course in Medicine at Cambridge University where Arnold Prempeh went to read law and the two became an inseparable pair. His lovely Rosemary, ever-loving, ever respectful and ever-industrious crossed his path at a wedding party and they were joined together in holy matrimony in July 1966 in Hampstead Town Hall, London.

Addo-Kufuor and the wife, Rosemary cherished their role in nurturing and watching then children (Kwame, Kojo, Rosemary) grow in Godly life.

The presence of the children at home did not disturb their shared love, they set aside time and money for leisure activities at home and outside to maintain and rekindle their bonded romance as a couple.

When in March 1971, the illustrious Addo-Kufuor returned to Ghana, he was posted to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he got his wish to be a paediatrician put into action. He returned to London after two years for postgraduate studies, and became the Vice-President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and later, the President.

He established the Kufuor Clinic at Adum with a loan from the Commercial Bank, and here he practiced successfully as a medical officer to many companies — both public and private.

Say that politics runs through the blood of our noble brother, just like his siblings, including His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of the Republic of Ghana.

Addo-Kufuor was a founding member (just like his brother, John) in the formation of the  Danquah-Busia Club — together with Atakora-Gyimah, Rev. Asante-Antwi, Lawyer Mmieh, Lawyer Kwame Kodua, Amo Bediako, Nana Akufo-Addo, Odoi-Sykes, Prof. Adu Boahen and his own brother, John Agyekum-Kufuor. It was the off-shoot of the NPP which boycotted the 1992 general election.

In 1996, gentlemanly Addo-Kufuor was elected MP for Manhyia Constituency, re-elected in 2000, then 2004, 2008, hanging up his boots in 2012. His role in the Constituency was marvelous – bringing enormous health, educational and sanitation facilities to the people — Loveable Addo-Kufuor would have loved to be Health Minister (where he performed competently as shadow minister) but his brother had other plans and was named Minister of Defence in the 2001 NPP Cabinet.

Surprisingly, the person who had returned the boots and other paraphernalia given him at Achimota School for cadet training to the W.O. in charge, performed so creditably as a Minister of Defence that the Chief of Defence Staff, Joseph Boateng Danquah wrote and signed a citation in August, 2007 highlighting the brilliance that “For the past seven years you have served your country and the Ghana Armed Forces with distinction and excellence. In times of darkness, you were a beacon of light; in times of uncertainties, you were a shoulder to lean upon; in times of joy you beamed hope and encouragement for greater things to come. Your interactive durbars were some of the hallmarks “of your administration”.

Of course, the imposing edifice housing the Ministry of Defence at Burma Camp is ample evidence of same.

Also refurbished were the Military Hospital, Burma Hall Library, Beijin Barracks, The Ministry of the Interior was added to his portfolio; he managed it so well as to ensure peace, and his footprints are etched in valuable ornaments in Yendi.

“OR take the year 2019 when he was adjudged the Outstanding Board Chairman of the SSNIT Board”.

He worships at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Asem and, to all intents and purposes, he is a pillar in the Church.

Once a People’s Warden, he now plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the office of the People’s Warden. One can hardly forget the contribution of the Addo-Kufuor’s family in the running of the activities of the Church. (Significant donations are the Numbers 2 and 3 of the Station of the Cross of the Church).

The close and extended families of Addo-Kufuor have played a vital role in his life. The bond, the attachment, the love to the families are very exceptional. Rosemary, his wife, is a mother to all, and she has been supportive in all her husband’s endeavours.

You will love to read the encouraging words of Honourable Addo-Kufuor in the closing chapter of his autobiography “Gold Coast Boy” where he states:

“Now with active political life behind me, my hope as a senior member of the NPP, and a member of its the National Disciplinary Committee is that I can adequately take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way to offer advice to the next generation of the nation’s leaders. My prayer for Ghana is that she would become a great, peaceful united and a prosperous nation. I also pray for Africa to become a prosperous and peaceful continent so that Africans may share in the comfort, prosperity and the dignity of God’s children in the developed parts of the world.”

In the latter part of his life, he was selected as the First Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University sworn in on 30th September, 2022. The Investiture was a glorious occasion that saw high profile personalities like the former President John Agyekum Kufour including the then Vice – President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Prof. Mike Oquaye, Former Speaker; Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, then Majority Leader, Hon. Yaw Adutwum, ex- Minister of Education, Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast; Most Rev. Dr. Cyrill Kobina Ben Smith, Most Rev. Prof. Daniel Yinka Sarfo, Nana Boakye Agyemang Bonsu, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Adumhene, Nana Apagyahene and others.

The accomplished man, a former Minister for Defence and Interior, a Physician Consultant (who provided free tuition at KNUST Medical School) is celebrating his 85th birthday on 14th July this year. What best can we offer him: PRAYERS, and GOOD HEALTH as we wait to celebrate his 90th birthday in the next five (5) years.

 

The post Addo Kufuor At 85 (Appreciation, Recognition, Admiration And Affirmation) appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story