President launches Kabral ‘s autobiography
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 August 2001
An autobiography of Kabral Blay-Amihere, President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and publisher of the "Independent" newspaper, was launched by President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday in Accra.
President Kufuor used the occasion, to name Blay-Amihere as Ghana's
Ambassador designate to Sierra Leone.
The title of the 477-page book with 17 chapters, 'Fighting For Freedom' "The Autobiography of an African Journalist", is a chronicle of 25 years of Blay-Amihere's practice in journalism.
The book has a foreword, 10 additional titles, an epilogue and an index; and it is dedicated to his late mother, Nyameke Ebellah, his stepfather Egya Kobina Amihere and Professor Atukwei Okai, a renowned poet and author.
President Kufuor said, "it is an epoch making history to launch a book written by Blay-Amihere who has been nominated, Ghana's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone."
Ghana abounds in talents in various fields of endeavour, both at home and abroad, the President noted, and expressed regret that the country has not been able to move ahead very fast with its literary works although it has first class writers.
President Kufuor, therefore, stressed the need for Ghanaian writers to improve on their activities and publish their literary works for the benefit of their compatriots and future generations.
Professor Atukwei Okai, who is also the Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) described the book as " a powerful and vivid detail of the study and development of journalism in Ghana.
"Dedicated journalists can inspire not only journalists, but all others in their various fields of activity, in which they believe."
Blay-Amihere could not hold his tears before the august gathering as Kweku Baako Jnr, Editor of the "Crusading Guide" narrated very difficult and trying moments of Blay-Amihere when he was the editor of the "Free Press" newspaper.
Blay-Amihere, a Havard scholar and Ghana's journalist of the year in 1981, had to sell his best car to sponsor the book.
He acknowledged various help he received in writing and publishing the book and promised to use the proceeds to put up a library at Ekwe, in the Western Region in memory of his mother.
He said part of the proceeds would be used to buy books for children in primary schools in Sefwi Bekwai, where he grew up.
Blay-Amihere said "I was born to serve and if (the) government thinks I can serve Ghana in another capacity I am prepared to do so".
The first two copies were presented to President Kufuor and the Vice-President Alhaji Mahama Aliu.
Nine other copies were auctioned for 141 million cedis.
GRi../
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Tema Manhean (Greater Accra) 20 August 2001
The Chief and people of Tema, on Saturday climaxed the celebration of their annual Homowo festival with the sprinkling of the traditional food, "Kpokpoi" by Nii Adjei
Kraku II, Tema Mantse.
The festivities started with the performance of sacred rituals by the various shrines of Tema on Friday and ended the rituals at the Sakumono Lagoon, led by the
Sakumo Wulomo, the Chief Fetish Priest.
The Paramount Chief sprinkles the Kpokpoi throughout the entire township the following day, with emphasis on the main family house of the various clans.
Last year, the people of Tema celebrated the festival on a low profile due to the deaths of the Mankralo and the Gyasetse of Tema during the period.
This year's festival was nearly marred last Saturday when a rival chieftaincy faction led by Nii Adjetey Kraku III, a claimant to the stool, led a few supporters to sprinkle the traditional food, but they were stopped by Nii Adjei Kraku's faction.
A quick police intervention prevented any potential nasty situation between the two factions who fought two years ago when Nii Adjetey Kraku III called a press conference with the intention to announce himself as the chief of Tema.
This year’s celebration however went on peacefully with the firing of musketry and dancing to brass band music at Tema Manhean, the traditional seat of the paramountcy.
Nii Adjei Kraku told journalists that there is the need for unity among the people to enable them to develop Tema together.
GRi../
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