GRAND FORUM: All Speakers Confirm Participation

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah

By Ekow Mensah

All speakers invited to join the grand forum to mark the 106th birthday OF Osagyefo Dr kwame Nkrumah, founder of Ghana have now confirmed their participation.

They are Dr Gamel Nasser Adam of the University of Ghana, Mr Prosper Dzitse, President of National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and Comrade Albie Walls of the All African People’s Revolutionary Party (APRP).

The event which opens at the Accra International Conference Centre on Friday, September 18,2015 will be chaired by Comrade Kwesi Pratt, Jnr of the Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG).

It is being organised by the Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG) the All African Student Union (AASU), the National Union of Ghana Student s (NUGS) and the African Youth Improvement Foundation.

 Organizers say that the broad theme for the celebration is “Youth And Students in National Development: An Nkrumaist Perspective”

 Invitations have so far been sent to African diplomatic missions and progressives and friendly embassies in Accra.

 The political parties, youth and student’s movements as well as the trade unions and the general public have been invited to the event.

 It is expected that hundreds of people from all walks of life will turn up not just to listen to progressive speeches but to also honour Nkrumah who is acknowledged worldwide as the foremost leader of the decolonization process in Africa.

TRIBUTE TO RUDOLF VON BALLMOOS

Rudolf Kwamena Von Ballmoos

FROM FRIENDS: Captain Kojo Tsikata, Kojo Thompson, Mike Eghan,Snr, EkowAnsa, Ambassador Amo Godfred, Steve Akuffo, Kwesi Pratt,Jnr and others.

Rudolf Von Ballmoos was not just our friend; he was indeed the cement which held us all together and helped us to focus on the very noble ideals which put us together in this special community of like minds.

The diversity in the ages, professional calling, social standing and temperament of his group of friends must be a clear testimony of his own versatility and the different endeavours to which he applied himself whiles alive.

 Rudolf was an unrepentant Nkrumaist believing firmly in the vision and ideas of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Founder of the Republic of Ghana. He insisted that the overthrow of the Osagyefo on February 24, 1966 by the forces of reaction and counter revolution has been largely responsible for the downward slide of Ghana in all fields of endeavour. He was a keen advocate of Pan- Africanism and the continental union of Africa. He believed in the equitable distribution of the world’s wealth and held that Africans cannot be inferior to any other race.

Another distinguishing feature of Rudolf Kwamena Von Ballmoos was his infectious and transparent honesty. He kept saying that if he found any reason to lie at his age then something must be very wrong with him. He always spoke his mind and cared very little about how his truth would impact on those around him. For him there could not be any compromise about telling the truth. He said what he believed had to be said without malice.

Our friend was also a particularly generous man who made substantial sacrifices for the good of those he loved and sometimes even people he did not know . Rudolf sponsored many Ghanaian youth through education at all levels. He paid the medical bills of his friends and associates and made it his duty to regularly visit people in distress. He paid special attention to the development of the businesses of his friends and sometimes offered advice and financial assistance.

Rudolf Von Ballmoos was a sports man and a sports administrator. He played cricket, swam and run cross country races. He became President of the National Basket Ball Association and Chairman of the SIC football team. He also served as chairman of the Eleven Wise Football team.

It is with pride that we note that Rudolf Kwamena Von Ballmoos was also the Chairperson of an internal committee at the State Insurance Company which worked on the setting up of the Social Security and National InsuranceTrust(SSNIT). Today SSNIT has become a major player in Ghana facilitating the retirement of civil and public servants and private sector workers in relatively better conditions. SSNIT is also investing in the financial sector, housing and national infrastructure and it is pleasing to know that our friend and Comrade was at the centre of it all. 

Rudolf Kwamena Von Ballmoos can afford to rest in perfect peace after so much hard work in life. 

EDITORIAL

A GOOD MAN GOES HOME

Rudolf kwamena Von Ballmoos will be buried in Accra after burial service at the Ridge Church in Accra on Friday, September 24, 2015.

Many know Mr Ballmoos just as a co-founder of the Provident Insurance Company but he was far more than that.

He was a very principled Nkrumaist who shared the ideas and vision of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah for continental unity and the equitable distribution of the world’s resources.

Mr Ballmoos contributed significantly to the development of sports in Ghana having place cricket and run cross country races. He was also a swimmer.

He became the President of the National Basket Ball Association, Chairman of Eleven wise Football Team and Chairman of the SIC Football Team.

Mr Ballmoos also served on the team at the State Insurance Corporation (SIC) which worked on the proposals to establish the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

The Insight mourns with the family of Uncle Kwamena as he was affectionately called.

May his good deeds encourage younger generations to serve their country well.