DR. ERNEST Owusu Dapaa, Dean and lecturer at the Faculty of LAW at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is advocating for the naming of the yet to be completed Kumasi International Airport after the late linguist and politician, Baffour Osei Akoto. 

According to the lawyer,  the life and legacy of the late linguist makes him fitting for such an honour.

Delivering the lecture commemorating the 20th anniversary of the passing Baffour Osei Akoto at the conference hall of the Faculty of LAW, KNUST, Dr Dapaa said the famous linguist of Otumfuo and founding father of the NPP demonstrated passion for the rule of law.

“The passion and dedication of Baffour Osei Akoto brought about the end to dictatorship during pre and post independence stages and this makes him an ideal candidate to be honoured by the state of Ghana and naming the Kumasi Airport after him would be fitting”, the Lecturer stated.

Details:

The lecturer stated that the activism and positive defiance stance by Baffour Akoto made the then President of Ghana, Dr Nkrumah unpopular with his Preventive Detention Act (PDA).

This Act, he explained abhorred and criminalised anything anyone did against the government even when it was engaged in illegal actions.

Dr Dapaa firmly submitted that the continuous activism shown and displayed by Baffour Akoto caused the country to return to constitutional rule in 1992 culminating in the formation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other parties to contest for elections in the country.

“I believe that the role of Baffour Akoto in our independence struggle as well as the constitutional journey makes him fitting for the NPP government to name the Kumasi Airport after”, Dr Dapaa posited.

Chairman:

On his part, Nana Mensah Bonsu, Asakyirehene and representative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II eulogised the linguist.

He said the passion for rule of law and justice was so telling on the person of Baffour Osei Akoto.

According to the Chairman, persons who came in close contact with the late Statesman and politician could easily attest to his humanness because he never tolerated anything illegal or unjust.

“I believe it is fitting for us to continuously celebrate the memory of Baffour Akoto because it is through his noble exploits and life that all of us can now breathe the air of freedom of speech and rule of law”, Nana Mensah Bonsu stated.

Dignitaries: 

Present at the memorial lecture were the son of the late Baffour Osei Akoto, Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie, Ghana’s Agric Minister as well as the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon Sam pyne.

Also present were some traditional leaders and chiefs from Ashanti and other tribes, lecturers, law students from the Faculty of LAW,  KNUST as well as members of the public.

By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie 

Kumasi