Accra, Jan. 25, -A 389-page book
titled “Perseverance Conquers All”, written by Kantinka Sir Dr. Kwame Donkoh
Fordwor, a former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has been
unveiled in Accra to provide useful and practical life lessons for the younger
and the older generations.
The book provides insights into
Dr Fordwor’s life journey and accomplishments with graphic detail of his life
as a Public Servant, Accountant and Economist, as well as his family relations,
entrepreneurship, charity work and travels round the world.
It also gives vivid accounts of
the author’s life principles, persecutions and challenges in life as well as
the deep ills of the Ghanaian society and lessons that should be learnt by both
the younger and the older generations, in order to foster national cohesion and
harmony.
The Most Reverend Dr Peter Kwasi
Sarpong, the Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi, who chaired the book launch at the
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra on Wednesday, described the author
as courageous, just and a peaceful patriot.
He said the author possessed
razor-sharp and analytical mind coupled with strict discipline, an insatiable
quest for perfection and unyielding commitment to the truth.
Professor Stephen Adei, a former
Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA),
who launched the book, said the author had a compelling story and many life
lessons that must be learnt by all Ghanaians.
Prof. Adei, also the Dean of Arts
and Sciences at the Ashesi University, described the author as a father and
mentor, who guided and shaped his life to achieve great laurels in life.
“He is a unique Ghanaian, who is
passionately patriotic and nationalistic, a scholar of no mean achievements, a
devout religious man who is not ashamed to be identified with Jesus Christ, our
Lord and Saviour.
“This man has mentored many
people and opened doors to greatness to people, who otherwise, did not matter,
and so we’re grateful.
“He is the hallmark of true
success and a rare model for those who succeed in balancing personal,
relational, public and professional life,” he stated.
Prof. Adei noted that the author
had held prestigious positions in life as an Accountant and Advisor to Kings
and Governments, and exhibited high integrity and dexterity in his profession
without being smeared with any acts of corruption.
“If you ask me about my views on
the book, I can tell you that, there are several books in this one and so if
you buy it, you have bought a library,” he said.
Prof. Adei bemoaned the fact
that, in spite of such calibre of personalities produced on the African
Continent; Africa and for that matter Ghana, still lagging behind in terms of
development, saying; “We seem to have the penchant for attacking and destroying
those who can make all of us happy”.
He urged Ghanaians to patronise
the book and learn from the accomplishments of the author who did not allow
various evil mechanisations to discourage him from moving forward in life.
Kantinka Dr Fordwor, the author
of the book, in an address, recounted some joyful and painful moments in his
over 80-year-old life.
He encapsulated his life journey
with this quote: “With faith in God, never blame anyone in your life. For good
people give you happiness; bad people give you experience; the worst people
give you a lesson; and the very good people give you happy memories”.
The writer was born in 1933 in
the Ashanti Region and had his basic education at Saint Joseph Primary School
in Kumasi and proceeded to the Saint Augustine’s College in Cape Coast for his
secondary education.
He went to the Kumasi College of
Technology, now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for
his tertiary education.
He pursued further studies at the
Graduate School of Finance and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at
Wharton. USA.
Kantinka Fordwor has a wide work
experiences having worked for the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the
Southern Cross Mining Company Limited, de factor Commissioner of Finance to the
Former Head of State General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Board Member of the
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New
Patriotic Party.
The autobiography of Kantinka
Fordwor takes readers through the early stages of the author’s life and how he
learnt the mores of his society.
It captured successes and
challenges in his career as an astute accountant and economist, his
contribution to society through philanthropic gestures to the needy, his family
life and relation with God as a staunch Catholic, which was acknowledged with
honorary Supreme Knight in the Knight of Marshall.
The autobiography also gave
prominence to the author’s remarkable relationship with Manhyia Palace in the
Ashanti Kingdom having served as a faithful subject to Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh
II, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II and being appointed confidant to his successor,
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the reigning King of the Ashanti Kingdom.
He continues playing crucial role
in the Manhyia Palace machinery by serving as a speech writer and a trusted
adviser.
His contribution to Ashanti
Kingdom was acknowledged when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II bestowed on him “Kantinka”
meaning (A Great Man) at the Otumfuo’s Silver Jubilee Celebration.
The book launch attracted high
profile personalities, including Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Paramount Chief of
Juaben Traditional Area and Chairman of the Council of State, Most Reverend Dr
Kwasi Peter Sarpong, the Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi, Archbishop Gabriel
Palmer Buckle, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Ministers of State, the clergy
traditional rulers, the diplomatic community, captains of industries and the
media.
Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Paramount
Chief of Juaben Traditional Area and Chairman of the Council of State, on
behalf of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II purchased the first copy of the book
for GH₵50,000.00
Some individuals and corporate
institutions also made purchases.
The book can be purchased in some
renowned bookshops in the country.
GNA
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