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The Pen at Risk: Spilling My Little Beans
“The Pen at Risk is more than a memoir. It is a piece of authentic, ungarnished history by a writer and public intellectual who is too modest to accept the title of a historian, but who witnessed and chronicled the most intriguing epochs of Ghana’s national life. Laced with the innate Fante humour, this book is a piece of deep but entertaining non-fiction that is told with the demystified simplicity of one of Ghana’s greatest academics and writers. Kwesi Yankah is a gift to humanity, and this memoir is a greater gift to an unfortunate generation like mine that did not live in the era of the incisive writings of the great Kwatriot.” – Manasseh Azure Awuni, Editor-in-Chief, The Fourth Estate
“When a citizen who has spent his whole life scrutinising society, turns the spotlight on himself, the risks include this epic engagement that spares no one, him included. In this bare-it-all memoir, the Yankah enigma is fully bared, warts and all. As it turns out, Yankah has had more than his fair share of privileged roles, ultimately impacting the national narrative. The richness of ethnography here, is as riveting as his urban-savvy accounts of the intrigues of university and national politics. While we watch him weave his wizardry of words, we are also awed by the totality of his humanity. The Pen at Risk is a hilarious package of eruditions. It is about the exalted gossips of our Motherland. The narratives are so sweet they hurt. If this isn’t the best book you have read in years, call me illiterate.” – Kofi Akpabli, Scholar, Author, Journalist
“In this memoir, Kwesi Yankah delivers a sparkling tableau of key aspects of his life, tabling his charmed childhood and amazing trajectory as an academic. He then rolls out his long stint as an audacious social commentator and columnist for leading papers (which may have put his pen at risk). With a penmanship characterized by a keen eye for detail, this autobiography is an entertaining and captivating book that should be read by all interested in media and social history as well as autobiography as a literary genre.” – Professor Mansah Prah, University of Cape Coast
“Intriguing, revealing, and brilliant. The Pen at Risk is unvarnished introspection beautifully strung together with anecdotes in a way that is vibrant and colorful. Kwesi Yankah’s work is a refreshingly modest invitation to see life through a different lens, even for a fleeting moment.” – Dr Obeng Amoako Edmonds, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
₵250.00 -
My Life: A Historical Narrative – Autobiography of Ivan Addae-Mensah (Hardcover)
This autobiography should be a best seller. It is a lucid, engaging, fascinating account of a very complex man with an eclectic life that the author has managed to masterfully present as a mainstream Ghanaian. It is so enjoyable to read.
Dr. Ing Kwame Boakye
Former President, Ghana Institution of Engineers
Former Vice Chairman, AT&T Paradyne, Florida, USAWith this autobiography, “My Life – A Historical Narrative”- Professor Emeritus- Ivan Addae-Mensah, the highly reputable and respected scientist and academic, has established his credentials as a writer par excellence and a master storyteller by every definition. . It is a well –written, riveting book, easy to read and absolutely interesting . I highly recommend this inspirational book.
Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere
Author, Former Chairman of the Ghana Media Commission,
Former Ghana High Commissioner to Sierra Leone and Ambassador to Côte d’IvoireDuring our university days we conferred the accolades “Versatile” and “Walking Encyclopaedia” on Emeritus Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah. Reading his book “My Life, a Historical Narrative” has confirmed that we were right. Ivan’s experiences in life, especially in the Ghana Public Service and in the political arena confirm the notion that serving one’s nation with honesty and integrity could be hazardous, but it pays. I highly recommend the book to all and sundry.
Ambassador Sir James K. Bebaako-Mensah
Former Secretary to the Cabinet, Former Secretary to President J.E.A Mills and Former Ghana Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican)In this absorbing autobiography, Emeritus Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah takes the reader on a journey through an extraordinary life that provides insights into his own life as well as Ghana’s social and political history from the 1940s till today; Written in an accessible and humorous style, this captivating chronicle is a must-read for anyone seeking to learn about Ghana’s contemporary history.
Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo,Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana₵300.00 -
My Journey: The Life of a Health Practice Dohyen
As I went through page by page, Dr. Adibo brought to mind the vivid memories of a rural childhood that evoked the nostalgia of the formative years of those of us brought up in remote villages. It is to Dr. Moses Adibo’s immortal memory, (he is still alive as I write this) and credit that he has documented his life history so that younger generations can learn from his perseverance, experience, successes, failures, and what makes man whole. This book is a must-read for academics, policymakers, students of medicine, practicing medical professionals, Teachers, motivational speakers, and all who desire knowledge.
Eric Mensah Ametor-Quarmyne, Journalist and Retired Public Servant
How wonderful that this book has been written. Dr. Moses Adibo is a giant amongst public health figures – for saving numerous Ghanaian lives, for sparking international interest in Ghana’s Ministry of Health, and perhaps most strikingly, for encouraging health workers from Ghana and far beyond to make the best of themselves in this vital field. Male or female; doctor, nurse, or something else; Ghanaian or not, here was a public health leader who encouraged others to excel. It is no surprise that in his chapter on being Director of Medical Services, he says one of his first two thoughts on getting the job was “Let’s build a team”. This book should be a bestseller.
Dr. Catriona Waddington, Freelance Health Economist and Chair of the Fleming AMR Fund External Advisory Group
Dr. Moses Adibo has defied the social “law of gravity” to write this memoir with impeccable clarity, still in his Nineties. Once you start reading this Memoir you never want to stop. An extraordinary piece of work that vividly reflects a life of service, sacrifice, and commitment to excellence. Dr. Moses Adibo has demonstrated to the youth how to give “your all” to your country and humanity and remain sane.
Dr. Toni Aubynn Esq., Former CEO, The Minerals Commission of Ghana
Dr. Moses Adibo: a man of great vision, conviction, perseverance, and courage. His achievements are huge and wide-ranging. However, his leadership in identifying and addressing challenges in delivering health services by creating an army of highly motivated and well-trained health professionals working as teams in provinces and districts is particularly remarkable. It has been my privilege to witness Dr. Adibo’s innovative strategies coming to fruition. I am thankful that he has written a book that captures significant moments in the development of Ghana’s health system and beyond an extraordinary memoir of an extraordinary life.
Dr. Katja Janovsky, World Health Organization [WHO] Retiree
₵300.00 -
An Aroma Of Policing: A Life Of Service In Law Enforcement and Global Peacekeeping (Hardcover)
Former Inspector General of Police of Ghana (IGP Rtd.) Mr. Mohammed A. Alhassan has written a fascinating book, set out in readable form, about a “Police Barracks boy” born into the Police and, by dint of hardwork, focus and determination, rising to the pinnacle of the Ghana Police Service.
At a time of multiple security challenges, banditry, impunity, indiscipline and the rise of various social movements, when the role of the Police in maintaining law and order has often been under scrutiny, it is refreshing to read the story of a reformist Police Officer averse to political interference, who put service to citizens, communities, integrity, competence and professionalism as the lodes star of his distinguished career.
By the time he attained the apex position, (IGP Rtd.) Alhassan had served in several senior international positions and at the United Nations Police (UNPOL) at UN Headquarters. Indeed, he played an important role together with his colleagues at the time, in its conversion from a Unit into a Division under the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
This background inspired his reforms designed to implant international best policing practices within the Ghana Police Service to make it agile, crime-prevention oriented and people friendly.
He devotes the concluding sections (pp 621-638) to Proffering bold recommendations to improve the performance of the Police. They pertain to constitutional amendments of the Police Commission, appointment of the IGP to insulate the process from parochial “partisan politics,” institutional restructuring, culture change, community policing, all women Formed Police Units to address pertinent gender issues, among others.
I fully endorse the book and recommend it as compulsory reading for Police Training Courses at all levels, but also to students of Security Sector Reform, Policy Makers, all serving personnel and the general public at large.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas
African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa, Former President ECOWAS Commission (2006-2010)
₵500.00