The Wesley College of Education has hosted the Busia Institute Donation ceremony in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the passing of Dr. K.A Busia, Ghana’s Prime Minister of the Second Republic(1989-1972).
The event, held on August 29, 2023, took place at the Brew Riverson Hall of the College.
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The ceremony was themed “Knowledge, Service and the Future”, and it was held under the distinguished auspices of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, who was the Special Guest of Honour, and the Most Rev. Dr. Paul K Boafo, the College Council Chair and the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana.
Address
During his address at the ceremony, Kennedy Ameyaw Baah, the Acting Principal of the College, emphasized the significance of the commemorative event.
He highlighted Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia’s role as a prime minister, stressing his contributions to Ghana’s democratic governance and restoration of peace and order within the nation.
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Baah also asserted that it was Dr. Busia’s time spent at Wesley College as a student and tutor that equipped him with the necessary competencies that propelled him to greatness.
“For me, the training he had here, as an illustrious alumnus and the ‘in situ’ experience as a tutor equipped him with all the required competencies that propelled him into greatness,” he opined.
Gratitude to the Busia Institute
Expressing his gratitude, Baah thanked the Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development (BIRDD) for their generous donation to Wesley College.
The donation included 100 copies of Prof. Busia’s biography, 50 packets of braille papers for visually impaired students, an air conditioner, and a framed portrait of Prof. Busia to be displayed in the library.
Appeal for Support
Taking advantage of the historic occasion, Baah made an appeal to the government, through the distinguished Guest Speaker Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, to assist the College in realizing its dream of constructing a state-of-the-art auditorium.
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He also called upon the University of Ghana, the Sociology Department, Oxford University, and the University of Leiden-Holland to follow BIRDD’s example and maintain a connection with Wesley College.
“I would like to use this historic moment to appeal to the University of Ghana, particularly the Sociology Department, Oxford University, University of Leiden-Holland and other places where Prof Busia trod to follow the excellent example of BIRDD and maintain a link with Wesley College in honour of Prof. Busia”, he stated
Proposals
The Acting Principal also acknowledged the special place Wesley College held in the heart of the late Professor K. A. Busia.
He, therefore, proposed for the Busia Institute to assist in turning his building(bungalow) in the college into a tourist attraction that would showcase Busia’s academic achievements and inspire young people to strive for excellence.
Baah also suggested establishing the K. A. Busia Academic Museum at the College and creating a Busia endowment fund to support the college’s development.
He again highlighted the infrastructural challenges faced by the College, including the need for a larger assembly hall, a new auditorium, and a modern lecture complex.
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He mentioned that the architectural designs for these facilities were submitted to GETfund through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission two years ago, and they are still waiting for a response from the government.
The Principal also expressed concerns about the stalled 300-bed capacity student hostel funded by GET Fund and appeals to the government, GTEC, GETfund, the Regional Minister, and the MP to help locate the contractor and resume the project.
Appreciation
Concluding his address, the Acting Principal expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the event, including Nana Tafohene, the Busia Institute, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Ghana’s minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the clergy, principals of sister Colleges of Education, past principals and vice principals, past and present students, and the media.