Kofi Abrefa Busia (1914–1978), born a member of the royal house of Wenchi, Ghana was a Ghanaian political leader and sociologist. He was a scholar by inclination and temperament and symbolized the dilemma of the intellectual in politics – the man of thought forced by events to become the man of action.
These three volumes, originally published between 1962 and 1967, reissued here together for the first time, each with new introductory material, were all written in exile, and contemplate the continent of Africa undergoing rapid social transformation. Together they act as testimonials to the importance of, and difficulty in, implementing democratic traditions. In these works Busia considered the centrality of traditional African ideologies and practices and the institutions they supported, to comprehend the influence of native institutions and systems of thought on the modern national state and to reflect on their continuing role in creating a healthy democratic environment.
The principles he taught continue to live on in the influences he made on African studies in general and Ghanaian politics in particular to the extent that his name had become a shorthand for the establishment of free Democratic traditions in Ghana today.
By K. A. Busia
May 08, 2023
Originally published in 1967, reissued now with a new introduction, Africa in Search of Democracy in the author’s words was ‘a humble contribution to Africa’s search for political wisdom whereby to avoid destruction’. Written by the author during his time in voluntary exile, he was leader of the ...
By K. A. Busia
May 08, 2023
Kofi Abrefa Busia (1914–1978), born a member of the royal house of Wenchi, Ghana was a Ghanaian political leader and sociologist. He was a scholar by inclination and temperament and symbolized the dilemma of the intellectual in politics – the man of thought forced by events to become the man of ...
By K. A. Busia
May 08, 2023
In Purposeful Education for Africa, originally published in 1964, K. A. Busia writes cogently and perceptively about a philosophy of education for the huge diverse complex called Africa. With his knowledge of both Africa and the West, this combination of perception would provide a stimulus to those...
By K. A. Busia
May 08, 2023
In the mid-twentieth century, the challenges raised by Africa’s emergence into the modern world touched on every aspect of national and international life. One of the most significant was raised by Africa’s quest for her own culture, encompassing not only the heritage of her distant and mysterious ...