Busia’s ideas must guide Ghana’s democracy today — NAPO 

The 2024 vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has called for a deeper appreciation of the ideas and political philosophy of the late Prime Minister Prof Kofi Abrefa Busia.

Dr. Busia, a prominent figure in Ghana’s political history, served as Prime Minister of Ghana from 1969 until the overthrow of his government in 1972.

Reflecting on the late leader's achievement, the former Vice President hopeful said Busia’s contribution to Ghana’s democracy should not be limited to historical remembrance but should continue to shape discussions on governance and national development.

Dr Opoku Prempeh made the remarks in a social media post on Monday, August 10, following the 2026 Busia Institute Lecture, where he reflected on centre-right political thought in Africa and the Ghanaian experience.

He said Busia’s political philosophy was anchored in principles that remain relevant to Ghana’s democratic development.

“The legacy of Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia is not simply one to be remembered, it is one to be understood for its continual contributions to our democracy,” Dr Opoku Prempeh said.

According to him, Ghana’s centre-right tradition promotes individual liberty, enterprise, responsible government and human dignity.

He said the tradition also seeks to establish a property-owning democracy where citizens are empowered to build and prosper while ensuring that vulnerable members of society have access to a safety net.

Dr Opoku Prempeh said reflecting on Busia’s ideas should encourage Ghanaians to examine the kind of society they want to build.

“His ideas invite us to examine the kind of society we want to build, and to renew the values of constitutionalism, responsible leadership, enterprise, and human dignity in our own time,” he added.