Dr Hilla Limann, The Forgotten Hero

Exactly Sixteen (16) years today, Ghana lost one of her most illustrious sons, Dr. Hilla Limann.

Elected as President of Ghana on the ticket of the People's National Party (PNP) in 1979, President Limann had the rather challenging task of reforming and transforming Ghana after years of rot and indiscipline occasioned by a long run of military dictatorship from 1972 to 1979.

Throughout his twenty seven (27) months rule, Dr. Limann espoused the virtues of morality, abhorred selfishness, greed and the greatest social evil, corruption. For a continent where politicians have earned the unenviable tag of looters from the public purse, it is a tribute to President Hilla Limann that neither him nor any member of his immediate family acquired riches at the expense of the taxpayer.

As President, the achievements of his 27 months regime were widespread and varied, ranging from energy, agriculture, transportation, rural development, corporate governance, foreign policy etc.

In the area of energy for example, Dr Limann cannot be distanced from our current oil find, the construction of Kpong Hydro Electric Dam and the construction of the Bui Dam which recently commenced operation to augment our energy supply. Under, Limann Ghana intensified her oil exploration efforts.

In the case of the Kpong Dam, President Limann had to raise funds to complete and commission the project within 23 months of his administration. But for the 1981 military intervention, the PNP was on course to working on and completing the Bui Dam after it had been abandoned after the overthrow of Dr. Nkrumah. As his show of commitment President Limann earmarked some 15 million dollars for the project.

In spite of these laudable achievements, successive administrations have woefully failed in honoring the memory of a man whose ascension to the presidency was through democratically staged elections.

As we celebrate the life of the man who gave his all to the country of his birth which he so much loved, I call on the Mahama led government to use the occasion to rewrite the wrongs of the past by duly acknowledging and honoring all those who have selflessly contributed to the advancement of our beloved country.

Signed

Henry Asante

Director of Communications, PNC

0248274646