I have listened to Hon. Dan Kwaku Botwe on a few radio talk programmes and I must say I was very impressed with his answers to the many questions that were fired at him. At the end of it all the obvious became crystal clear to all well meaning Ghanaians, that the gentleman is a born leader. His in-depth knowledge of the politics of our dear Ghana was very striking especially for someone who, probably those who fear will cause an up-set, claim is too young for the position of president.
I was however, rather disappointed with Mr. Botwe’s refusal to comment extensively on his stewardship at the Ministry of Information. Having known Dan Botwe and worked with him in various capacities and knowing his many achievements during his brief stewardship there, I was really hoping that this born leader will spell out his achievement. Mr. Botwe’s reason was that he does not like blowing his own trumpet for good works speak for themselves. Well, Hon. Dan Kwaku Botwe, this is one trumpet I will blow for you.
Dan Kwaku Botwe was one of the first Cabinet Ministers President Kufuor appointed after the NPP retained power in 2004.
Upon assuming office as Minister of Information, Dan Botwe toured all the offices of the Information Services Department (ISD) nationwide in order to asses at first hand, the situation at the various offices. He also visited all the offices of the Ghana New Agency.
Having identified the many problems of these two important arms of the Ministry of Information, Dan Botwe initiated the necessary steps to procure vehicles for these two agencies. The result of his tireless effort is what has led to the procurement of 146 Cinema Van for the ISD district offices nationwide, 9 Nissan Pick-Ups for the regional (ISD) offices and 10 Nissan Pick-ups for all the GNA regional offices. So you see, the Pick-Ups and Cinema Vans that the Ministers of Information and National Orientation have been out-dooring with such pomp and pageantry are in fact fruits of Dan Botwe’s labour.
Ghanaians who have been following the Meet-The Press Series and the Peoples Assembly fora will remember, until Mr. Botwe assumed office as Minister of Information, these important events which seek to bring the people closer to the various organs of government, and the Presidency, were held in Accra. Even the various Regional Ministers met the Press in Accra.
Upon assumption of Office, Dan Botwe initiated the first ever Regional Meet-The-Press series. This afforded media personnel in these regions to ask questions that more relatively, concern the peoples of the various regions in the country. He did not stop there. He went on to get President Kufuor to travel all the way to Cape-Coast for the first ever Peoples Assembly, outside of Accra. These steps were taken by the then Hon. Minister to get the government to be more accountable to the people.
Dan Botwe assumed office in a Ministry that was cash-strapped. There were countless occasions when he had to inject his own resources in activities of the Ministry to ensure that things run smoothly. On countless occasions, the then Minister for Information had to bear the cost of his accommodation, transportation, and honorarium for media personnel during the regional Meet-The-Press series, without resorting to refunds from the Ministry. I remember particularly an incident at the first regional Peoples Assembly that was held in Cape-Coast. It was initially suggested that bottled mineral water be given to the dignitaries who will sit at the High Table, and the other distinguished invited guests, whilst everyone else is given ‘pure water’. Dan Botwe disagreed with this, explaining that the Peoples Assembly is supposed to create a level ground for the people to freely interact with the presidency so nothing should be done to suggest difference in platform levels; all should be given bottled mineral water. When he was told that the Ministry did not have the money to pay for this, he offered to bear the expense. This is a mark of a leader, who respects his fellow country people, loves his country deeply and is intensely desirous to see that it moves forward.
During his tenure as Minister for Information, government established a very cordial relationship with the media. The Meet-the-Press series were held religiously every tuesday (barring the occurrence of another important activity on that day), and Matters Arising (which sought to give the platform to Ministers of State and other government officials the opportunity to interact with members of the media on important issues that made headlines during the week), held on thurdays. All these achievements were chalked within a year. If this is not a mark of a leader who wants to get government answerable to the people, then I don’t know what is.
It is important to note that Dan Kwaku Botwe has shone in whatever capacity he has been placed: as National Secretary of NUGS, as Director of Operations of the NPP, as General Secretary of the NPP, and as Minister of Information under President Kufuor’s Administration. He will definitely shine as President of Ghana.
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