Dean of the KNUST Faculty of Law, Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, has endorsed calls to name the yet-to-be completed Kumasi International Airport after the late human rights champion, Baffour Osei Akoto.
He made his argument during a public lecture in Kumasi, where he highlighted the contributions of the statesman to Ghana and the Asante Kingdom.
Held under the theme; “Baffour Osei Akoto Remembered – 20 Years On”, the public lecture attracted traditional rulers, politicians, academics and students of law.
The event was in recognition of the contributions of the political stalwart, Baffour Osei Akoto, in fighting the supposed tyrannical leadership of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
It highlighted the significance of the human rights activist to pre-colonial and contemporary politics in Ghana. Main speaker for the occasion, Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, advocated for the renaming of the Kumasi International Airport after the Founder of the National Liberation Movement.
“Baffour Osei Akoto occupies the last phase of history regarding nationalist struggle for independence. Based upon multi-party democracy in respect for civil liberties is recognized not by political rhetoric in platitudes but in more concrete terms, including naming a significant national asset after Baffour Osei Akoto. I agree with people who have made a call recently on the state to name Kumasi International Airport after Baffour Osei Akoto,” he said.
Asakyirehene, Nana Mensah Bonsu, who represented the Asantehene touted the contributions of the longest serving linguist to Asanteman.
“Baffour Osei Akoto served Otumfour Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, Otumfour Opoku Ware II and finally Otumfour Osei Tutu II. In relation to his traditional rule, he was the founder and led the National Liberation Movement (NLM). We would usually pass through his house at Ashtown to greet him. He is indeed a great man of Ghana and Asanteman,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Owusu-Dapaa charged Ghanaians to continue the legacy of Baffour Osei Akoto in pursuit of human rights and freedom in achieving the full sense of democracy in Ghana.
“The human rights activism gallantly pursued by Okyeame Osei Akoto must be continued by all and sundry by standing up against violation of fundamental human rights in disregard of rule of law in peaceful responsible way in tandem with our civic duties under Article 1 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana,” he said.
