Edem Kodjo launches Obed’s book tomorrow

Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, a former Foreign Minister and Attorney General and Minister of Justice, will launch his book tomorrow.According to Dr Asamoah, the book titled ‘’The Political History of Ghana (1950-2013) is  an instructive historical record of the Republic of Ghana.

The book  details  the triumphs and tribulations of successive governments since 1950.

The launch will be performed by Prof. Edem Kodjo, a former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and former Prime Minister of Togo. Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso, a Senior fellow of Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, will review the book while Ms Hannah Tetteh, the Foreign Minister, will be one of the principal speakers at the launch which will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Political opponents

According to Dr Obed Asamoah, the book refreshes the memory of  readers,  especially Ghanaians,  with new insights  into  the struggle between Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his political opponents in the period preceding the achievement of political independence for Ghana.

The book also delves into  the events leading to his overthrow, and its impact on the course of Ghana’s history.

Rawlings era

“It is perhaps the most comprehensive history to date of the Rawlings era, the establishment of the Fourth Republic, and the formation of the National Democratic Congress (NDC),’’ Dr Asamoah stated.

Prof.  Kodjo, in a foreword, said: “It is a story that concerns all Africans because of the fundamental role played by Ghana and some of her illustrious sons in the building of the  continent and its accession to the international stage”. 

Prof. Kodjo said the  book  also shed light on Dr Obed Asamoah’s evolution into a politician of no mean achievement during the creation of the Fourth Republic and as the longest-serving Foreign Minister and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

He added that  the book offered valuable information and laid  the foundation for a healthy debate of past events and the problems facing Ghana. 

Prof. Kodjo stated that the book was worthy of a man whose intellectual achievements had enabled him to be a Lecturer in Law, an Assistant Director of the Dag Hammarskjold Seminar in International Law at the Hague Academy in 1964 and 1965.

Primary education

Dr Asamoah  was born on  February 6, 1936 at Likpe Bala, a village in the Hohoe District in the Republic of Ghana, where he had his primary education.

He passed a competitive examination and was admitted to the leading secondary school in Ghana at the time, Achimota Secondary School.

After five years at the secondary school (1950-54), he passed out with distinction and proceeded to the United Kingdom in 1956 for further studies.

He did one year at the Woolwich Polytechnic to qualify for admission to Kings College, London University, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) with honours in 1960.

While at Kings College, Dr Asamoah was enrolled at the Middle Temple Inn of Court, where he qualified as a Barrister-at-Law.