It is very unfortunate that democratically elected presidents like Dr Hilla Limann have barely been posthumously honoured by successive governments. This needless phenomenon is the spillover of what can best be described as the ill and scorn that is usually meted out to former presidents after exiting office, either maturely or prematurely.
Undoubtedly, there is an urgent need for this unpalatable tradition, so to speak, to be discontinued. From a closer look at the civilian past presidents of Ghana, from Nkrumah through Busia, Limann , Rawlings to Kufuor, it is only Limann that has ostensibly been dismembered from this enviable group of achievers.
Kufuor and Rawlings are latter day saints with the Chennery Hessey-Greenstreet dichotomy/tussle. Nkrumah and Busia, undoubtedly gained considerable leverage in the political history of Ghana. Very important monuments, places and events are associated with these two renowned personalities which make Ghanaians to easily remember them after their demise. I should think it’s prudent that such recognition or prominence be conferred on Dr. Hilla Limann too; if for nothing at all, but for his ascension to the presidency through adult suffrage which was never by accident but carefully and totally premeditated.
The various political traditions in Ghana today --- the Busia-Danquah tradition and the now amalgamated Nkrumaist- Rawlings tradition---- have all demonstrated ample commitment in wanting to eulogize Dr. Hilla Limann. Rawlings handed him a state burial in 1998 in his home town Gwollu; kufuor corroborated it by renovating the grave site which now serves as a tourist site. All these beautiful efforts by the two contrasting political traditions, though commendable in my candid and honest opinion, is but piecemeal, cosmetic, window dressing and a deliberate attempt to blindfold the good people of this country from the scorn and virtual neglect heaped on this noble gentleman—Limann.
Let me put on record that the 27-month Limann’s administration was completely anchored on certain key sectors of the economy which has now become a rendition of rhetorics so resonant in the manifestoes of political parties in Ghana.
The energy portfolio of the Limann’s government was hinged on renewable energy resources on the one hand and the exploration of potential oil bearing geological formations for crude oil on the other hand. It is even sad and regrettable that some people are attempting to take all the glory for the recent oil discovery in Ghana without recourse to earlier works that were meticulously conducted by other governments.
The Kpong Hydro Electric Dam was started by the Acheampong’s regime purposely to augment the energy needs of Ghana which for sure, could trigger industrial development. This wonderful economic intervention was subsequently threatened due to lack of funding. Thankfully, Dr. Limann, upon the assumption of office, immediately mobilized funding for the completion and subsequent commissioning of the project within the space of 23 months. The Bui Dam project, abandoned after Nkrumah’s overthrow, was also earmarked and seed money of 15 million US Dollars was made available for takeoff. This well crafted plan never hatched due to unnecessary military intervention.
The achievements of the Limann’s administration are widespread and varied--- ranging from agriculture, mining, roads and bridges, rural development, transportation, corporate governance and foreign policy. With the fine accolades of a diplomat, Limman initiated a judicious and healthy foreign policy drive with neighbouring communities and the rest of the world.
The Limann’s government may have been relatively modest or perhaps not spectacular but the gentleman deserves much greater credit than people may want to offer him. It is however regrettable to note that Dr. Limann died a pauper after having offered himself for service in the highest office of this land. His immediate family has nothing in his name from the state; he neither received per diem nor ex-gratia contrary to current trends in Ghanaian and global politics and their hierarchies---an avalanche of corruption. This was a man who espoused the virtues of morality, had greater respect for rule of law and good governance; abhorred corruption, selfishness and greed.
The Limann’s government was an offshoot of egalitarianism and socialism, and seems to have provided a direction/base for the Mills-led NDC with its democratic and social inclinations. It is based on these symbiotic relationships which permeate the Nkrumah-Rawlings divide that I respectfully find it appropriate for president Mills to immediately honour Dr. Hilla Limann de facto of any opposition either from within or without.
One may be tempted to assert that president Mills has respectfully honoured the ‘father’ of Dr. Limann----Dr. Nkrumah. Having successfully performed the final rites of your father, I should think that it’s now the turn of your elder brother-- Dr. Limann. The honour could take the form of statue erection, institutional naming, Principal Street and run-about naming and decoration in order to evoke some level of consciousness and dignity reminiscent of his other two compatriots who have also passed on.
A nation that fails to honour its’ heroes is not worth dying for aptly amplifies the message that I intend to put across.