Friday night, at Ofori Panin Fie in
Kyebi, the Etwienanahene of Akyem
Abuakwa, Barima Kwuku Dua,
conferred the title AboetrƐwura on
Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2012
presidential candidate of the New
Patriotic Party.
Nana Akufo-Addo, a grandson of
the Okyeman royal family, had his
four decades of selfless service to
his nation, Ghana, honoured by his
household, in a ceremony which
took place in the presence of the
Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia
Ofori Panin and his elders.
AboterƐwura translates into a "man
of exceptional tolerance,
perseverance, compassion and
patience".
The citation, which summed up the
reasons behind the award stated,
“With patience, tolerance, courage
and a pragmatic sense of urgency,
you have, for the last four decades,
led from the front the processes
that have today made Ghana a
peaceful, democratic and respectful
nation in Africa today. You have
contributed more than your quota
to making Ghana a role model for
the rest of the continent. Still, you
continue to contribute. You
continue to serve. You continue to
lead.”
The low key but colourful ceremony
was part of the three days of events
to mark the first anniversary of
Barima Kwaku Dua's enstoolment.
Reading the citation, Mrs
Rhoderline Baffour-Gyimah, said,
"We honour you, for your selfless
sacrifice to humankind. For your
courageous patriotism to your
country. For your depthless
tolerance of all that is done falsely
against your person. For your
patience. For your sincerity. For
your consistency. For your
conviction. For your determination
to see Ghana becoming a free and
prosperous society. For your
commitment to building a society of
opportunities for every Ghanaian,
no matter the circumstances of
birth."
She continued, "The freedom that
we tend to take for granted today
were fought and won by patriots
like you, who used the exuberance
and courage of their youth to
struggle against the dictatorship
that we were compelled to endure
in apathy and fear. Over the years,
you have used your wisdom,
knowledge and energy to fight,
without the tools of war, but with
your courage and conviction as
your weapons. You fought for our
democracy and development. You
did not fight for your family, for
your ethnic group or for your
region. You fought for all
Ghanaians. And you did so because
you love Ghana. You have fought
all your life for what is good for
Ghana. You did so because you
believe in Ghana. Nana, this is to
say to you that we believe in you.
That Ghanaians believe in you."
She continued, “When the roll call
of the freedom fighters for Ghana
are mentioned, Nana, we know
yours will be among those at the
top. When the roll call of selfless,
loyal and trusted Ghanaians are
called, Nana, we know your name
will be among the top list. You are
Ghana's leading living campaigner
of free, fair and democratic
elections. You are Ghana’s living
campaigner for opportunities for
the ordinary masses. You are the
champion of the poor; of the
voiceless; of the Defenseless.”
The citation which focused on
Akufo-Addo’s patriotic service to
Ghana, his fight for the ordinary
people and his vision to transform
Ghana, also described him as a role
model and symbol of hope for the
youth of Ghana.
“You have reminded us that royalty
means loyalty to people and nation.
To you, every Ghanaian is an
Odehye and must be helped to grow
and stand on his or her own two
feet. That is the mark of a
champion of the masses.
“Your character as a servant, a
leader, a team player and a
compassionate, fair but resolute
human being of conviction is a
character that is most admired by
the youth of today.”
Referring to Akufo-Addo’s concern
for the young people and their
response, it reads, “When the
youth of Ghana heard you say that
Ghana needed a leader who thought
about the next generation and not
the next election, in fact, they
believed you. Because they know
you. They know you better now.
Because they know what you have
stood for and fought for, and for
them to now have the space to
dream big.”
The citation highlights Akufo-
Addo’s consistency and praised
him for standing firm on what he
believes in and his dream for
Ghana, describing him as the “faith
carrier of the fulfillment of the
dreams of our founding fathers. The
dreams that here in Ghana we can
build a free, modern and
prosperous nation to rival all
others. We can do it, because
people like you believe it can be
done!”
It continues, “You have been
patiently persistent and consistent
on the path that you believe Ghana
needs to travel. Your message has
not shifted with the convenience
tide of saying what may win you a
particular election. That temptation
for saying what is convenient is not
you, Nana.”
It sums up Akufo-Addo’s vision:
“Ever since you expressed a desire
to serve Ghana at the very top, you
spelt out your vision: access to free
quality, education for every child;
access to employable skills for
every young person, winning the
fight against corruption, playing by
the rules of the game, and pulling
the human and material resources
of Ghana together to industrialise
and diversify our economy in order
to transform Ghana to transform the
lives of the citizens of Ghana.”
It reminds us, “Some doubted you.
But you stayed true, despite all the
vilifications and insults. Today,
your name is mentioned whenever
school fees are to be paid.
Whenever corruption denies
funding to a social intervention.
Whenever the cedi struggles
against the dollar in an economy
that struggles to compete.
Whenever these things that pull us
down happen, Nana, your vision is
remembered.”
It concludes with Akufo-Addo’s
statesmanly acceptance of the
decision of the Supreme Court of
Ghana a year ago, when he lost the
petition to challenge the 2012
presidential election results by a
close 5:4 decision.
“Your act of statesmanship after
you lost the controversial 2012
elections was not new to those
who knew you and trusted in you.
“You showed what a true patriot
you are: selfless, loyal, and
trustworthy. You accepted the
defeat and in a way that brought
peace to a nation on the brink of
conflict and social strive. Nana,
Ghanaians thank you!”
It ends, “Nana, your patience, your
tolerance, your love for nation, your
perseverance, your capacity to get
up, dust yourself down and move
on with a smile, after a fall, and go
on believing and still believing and
working harder and harder to have
that belief fulfilled – for this and all
that you stand for and live for, we,
Etwienananom, hereby, with great
pleasure bestow upon you the title:
ABOTERƐ-WURA NANA ADDO
DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO.”
Those at the ceremony included
Odehye Atta Akyea, MP for
Abuakwa South, Odehye Nana
Poku, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ken
Ofori-Atta, Chairman of Databank,
Joe Ofori-Atta, Director,
Woolworths Africa, Michael Ofori-
Atta, CEO of Buildmart, and Asare
Otchere-Darko, CEO, Global
Dynamix.
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