Dr. Brako Discourses at 11th S. H. Amissah Memorial Lectures
The Head, Department of Management Sciences and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science Education, Dr. Isaac Brako, has delivered a lecture at the 11th S. H. Amissah Memorial Lectures, organised on Saturday, 13th March, 2021, at the Ebenezer Methodist Cathedral in Winneba.
The ceremony, held annually by the Connexional Lay Movement Council of the Methodist Church of Ghana, to honour outstanding lay leaders, who have made invaluable contributions to the Church over the years, was under the theme “Governance at the Crossroads – Implications for National Development”. This year’s event was in honour of Paa Hon. T. E. Osam-Duodu.
Dr. Brako, who spoke on the theme, recounted the political and economic trajectory of Ghana. He identified and dilated on turning points in the country’s development when important decisions ought to have been taken from the early days of independence up to the present time.
Dr. Brako said Ghana had all it takes to be an industrial giant immediately after independence just as the ‘Asian Tigers’, but missed the opportunity due to certain uncontrolled decisions by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his government.
He stated that even though the country had not yet attained the zenith of democratic deepening, it had made some strides at the democratic consolidation stage. He, therefore, charged the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to keep the government on its toes so that it does not derail the gains made.
Dr. Brako also questioned the proliferation of CSOs in the country, most of whom are factotums with no clear-cut area of specialty and thus speak on all public policies from A to Z. He called for immediate steps to amend certain provisions in the 1992 Constitution to reduce the huge number of government appointees, especially in the executive and the legislature in a country which debt stock is 76.1% of the gross domestic product.
Dr. Brako expressed hope that Ghana could become an industrial giant in the near future if prudent economic policies are pursued.
This year’s programme, chaired by the Lay President, Brother William Orleans Oduro Esq., was attended by important dignitaries, including the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Bishop of the Methodist Church Diocese, Rt. Rev. Paa Solomon Grant Essilfie and many other Bishops of the Church from various parts of Ghana. Also present was Prof. Ato Essuman, a member of the Council of State.
Speakers of earlier sessions since its inception, have been the Immediate Past Presiding Bishop of the Church, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante; immediate Past Lay President of the Cape Coast Diocese, Prof. John Andoh Ackah; Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Kumasi, The Most Rev. Peter Akwasi Sarpong; Prof. Mrs. Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Nana Susubiribi Krobea Asante ( known in private life as Dr. S. K. B. Asante), Omanhene of Asokore Traditional Area; and the Rector of Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof. Bondzie Simpson.