Bawumia Unveils Kufuor’s Art Collections
The achievements of former President Kufuor during his tenure was celebrated on Tuesday.
This was when a 194-page book providing insights into more than 70 pieces of art works and paintings he received as President between January 7, 2001 and January 7, 2009 was unveiled by Vice President Bawumia in Accra.
The book titled: ‘Art and the Power of Goodness: A Collection of John Agyekum Kufuor’, was authored by good old Ivor Agyeman-Duah, an astute academic, writer and film director, who doubles as the Executive Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
The foreword of the book was written by UK former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
The book has 10 chapters and descriptive essays chronicling former President Kufuor’s taste for art works, cultural values and family background which epitomised his personality, leadership qualities and connections across the world.
It was published by Digibooks Ghana Limited and encapsulates diversities of Ghanaian and African culture, Ghana’s diplomacy and history of African slave trade, as well as the various stools and emblems of the Ghana’s traditional authorities.
Speaking at the book launch held at the residence of the French Ambassador to Ghana, Anne Sophie-AVE, Dr. Bawumia lauded former President Kufuor for his exemplary leadership from 2001 to 2009, which saw Ghana’s macro-economy stabilise as innovative policies transformed lives.
He cited the bold initiative to take Ghana to the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative which led to the cancellation of the country’s debts and implemented programmes and policies with funds received and eventually took the nation out of the doldrums of HIPC.
He, among others, identified the National Health Insurance Scheme, Private Sector Initiative, construction of flyovers and many other social protection interventions that took people from poverty and deprivation under President Kufuor.
Dr. Bawumia later donated an amount of GH¢50,000 for the purchase of some copies of the book to be distributed to schools and educational institutions to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding in the country’s art and cultural heritage.
On his part, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, the author of the book, who is a former Advisor to President Kufuor on International Development Cooperation, described the former President as a “Power Strategist” who never wavered in pursuing his ambitions.
The French Ambassador, Sophie-AVE, also commended former President Kufuor for his leadership qualities that changed many lives and enhanced Ghana’s diplomatic relations with France and many other countries around the world.
She recounted some projects the French Embassy was sponsoring in Ghana to promote the country’s cultural heritage.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent
