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Reading Pleasure

~ A Blog of Books and Literature

Reading Pleasure

Tag Archives: John Dramani Mahama

Review: My First Coup D’ Etat By John Dramani Mahama

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by readinpleasure in Ghanaian Literature Week, Non-Fiction, Reading List

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, My First Coup D'Etat

Title:         My First Coup D’ Etat (Memories from the Lost Decades of Africa)
Author:     John Dramani Mahama
Binding:    Paperback
Genre:      Non-Fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, UK
Pages:      318
Publication Date:  2012

Reason for reading: For my African reads and from TBR. Had wanted to review this for the Ghanaian Literature Week but could not meet the deadline.

Media of My First Coup d'EtatIt is not everyday that the President of a country writes a book and a non-fiction at that while in power. Granted that when this book was written John Dramani Mahama, the author, was then the Vice-President of Ghana, it is still a novelty. But I would hesitate to conclude that therein lies the appeal. The appeal lies in the contents and  freshness of his style.

John Mahama was about seven years old in 1966 when Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana was overthrown in a coup. His father who was then a Minister in the government was imprisoned for over a year. And life for the privileged Mahama changed in ways that never suggested that he would one day lead Ghana.

In poignantly engaging, warm and seamless narrative style, My First Coup d’Etat, a collection of personal reminiscences, takes the reader through a journey from the first coup d’etat, successive governments and coups, woven expertly with his childhood and coming of age, funny exploits in the secondary school, lively escapades with his numerous siblings, University days in Ghana, stint in Nigeria finding himself and later a postgraduate programme in Russia.

My First Coup D’Etat works on many levels; as history, cultural and political analysis. It also offers a look at the country that has long been considered Africa’s success story. In his review, the late Chinua Achebe says:

“With crisp, yet sweeping prose, John Mahama’s memoir, My first Coup D’Etat, provides insights into Ghana’s and by extension, Africa’s struggle to weather its historical burden and engage with a world much removed from her dilemma. Without sentimentality or condescension, he exposes homegrown African pathologies and helps us understand several contradictions of our post-colonial condition. His is a much welcome work of immense relevance to African studies and deserves serious critical attention.”

And yet for me, the relevance in the context above is seen in the author’s intellectual ability to separate partisan politics from the pages of the book. Having been born around the first coup, I lived through the periods and events described, though I was too young to remember a few. So the events described refreshed my memory in more ways than one. Reading My First Coup D’Etat has also made me to gain a better understanding of the man John Mahama and not the politician. (is that possible?)

What I gather though is that in his narrative, it seems as if the author is at pains to downplay the relevance of his privileged background to whom he is today. That his father E. A. Mahama had a huge influence in his life is without doubt. Did that influence unconsciously lead to his position today? I look forward to reading his second book!

My First Coup D’Etat is highly recommended for those who like non-fiction and interested in knowing about Ghana.

About the author: John Dramani Mahama is a writer, historian, journalist, communication expert, former Member of Parliament, Minister of Communications and currently the sixth President of the Republic of Ghana.

5.555717 -0.196306

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Haiku My Heart: Paper Talks

08 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by readinpleasure in Challenges, Events, Haiku, Haiku My Heart, Poetry

≈ 42 Comments

Tags

academia, Honorary degree, John Dramani Mahama

Done for Recuerda Mi Corazon.

Today. the University where I work, the University of Professional Studies,  is awarding honorary degrees to three eminent persons; the Asantehene (king of the Ashanti kingdom), Nana Osei Tutu II; the Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Hon., Doe Adjaho; and a former Minister of State, Kan Dapaah. The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama will commission a new Administration Block and also in attendance is the former President, (2000-2008) John Agyekum Kuffour. A real crowning moment in academia!!!!

Paper Talks

blooming citadel

assembles luminaries

paper talks

Copyright © Celestine Nudanu 
(08/11/13)

I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom.

5.555717 -0.196306

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Weekly Haiku Heights Prompt: Pain

13 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by readinpleasure in Challenges, Haiku, Uncategorized

≈ 48 Comments

Tags

John Dramani Mahama, Julius Caeser, Stormy passion

I have been missing in action for about two weeks or almost. I have not had access to the internet (as usual). Today, I had to fall on hubby’s lap top and at this late hour, I am trying hard to stay awake to blog. I really am far behind and also missing you guys.

I also do feel I have to let my lovely friends know that Ghana went to the polls on Friday 7th December to elect a new president, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress party (actually, not too new as he took over for 4 months when his predecessor died in August 2012).

Now to my Haiku. This week’s prompt from Haiku Heights is Pain and my offerings are below as I have added last week’s prompt as well. Please enjoy.

Pain

With the speed of wind

He stabs me out of blind love

Ah, then die, Caesar

Storm

Stormy avalanche

Rips through my starved tattered heart

His love makes me whole

Copyright © Celestine Nudanu
13/12/12

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom

5.555717 -0.196306

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Sunday Evening With Ghana Association of Writers (GAW)

08 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by readinpleasure in African Women Writers, Events, Ghana Association of Writers

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

African Literature, Chancing Faith, Empi Baryeh, John Dramani Mahama, Manu Herbstein

I haven’t posted much this October, not because I don’t have anything to write about, but for the simple reason that I have been busy lately and the hiccups of internet and power situation are just so maddening I could hit the roof, (well, not literally). I won’t bore you with the story. 🙂

When time permits, I try to clear my heaping mails up to no avail, because while I have slowed down, my dear friends have been busy writing and the mail just keep heaping. If there is a way of asking would-be-followers not to follow me for a while at least,…………….it would be churlish on my part so let me just shut up.

Yesterday, my wonderful sister-in-law, Esther, (who is a Principal Research Officer with the Research and Development Division of the Ghana Heath Service, an avid reader and lover of the Arts) invited me to the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) Sunday, a Literary and Cultural Event by the GAW held every first Sunday of the month at PAWA House. Now, would you believe I had never heard of this event even though it has been going on for some time now? Esther made sure I attended by calling me on Saturday and reminding me twice on Sunday and my oh my! Absolutely no regrets.

The evening, which took of at 4.30 treated audience to poetry recitals by students of Adabraka Methodist Junior High School. I loved this so much, that GAW provides the opportunity to the youth to showcase their talents is a laudable thing. The young men and women (not kids, mind you) recited wonderful poems and sang songs in French and poor me, I was lost. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, though. Kudos to these fine artistes in the making.

There were also readings by some fine poets and for me the highlight of the evening was the reading by Empi Baryeh from her much acclaimed latest novel Chancing Faith. Now, Empi is my favourite Ghanaian romance writer whose blog I faithfully follow. She can be counted amongst the female giants of Ghanaian writing. Her first novel Most Eligible Bachelor has been reviewed on this blog. But I had never set eyes on her (even though she lives in Ghana and works only fifteen minutes drive from my workplace), until yesterday so to say I was tickled would be an understatement. I was over the top. Needless to say, we chatted as if we had known each other for years. I also got myself a copy of Chancing Faith, available at the Silverbird, Accra Mall (for those in Ghana).

Manu Herbstein, award-winning author of Akosua and Osman (2011 Burt Awards for African Literature, 3rd Prize) and Ama, (2002 Commonwealth Writers Prize for the Best First Book) was present with his wife Akua, a renowned entrepreneur in Ghana. Though I didn’t talk to them, (we left as soon as the event ended at 6.30) I was quite awed to see Manu Herbstein in the flesh. Mrs. Herbstein is a household name in the country and I had seen her on TV variously when growing up.

On a sad note, a minute’s silence was held for a member of GAW, the late Mrs. Olivia Sosu, a retired Educationist and a poetress as well.

Indeed, this GAW event is one that I will endeavour to attend every month and blog about as well. I missed the Book Festival organised by the GAW where the President of Ghana, John Mahama, read from his recently published book, My First Coup D’etat in what was a relatively a non-political and informal atmosphere.

I also plan on reading some of my poems at the next GAW Sunday and I will give you guys the details so stay tuned. 🙂

Oh, I almost forgot. They do serve some chilled palm wine at the event. You know, we can’t just listen to readings, fine ones they may be and sound, without wetting our throats the traditional way. The palm wine was so sweet I will definitely make it next month, hook or crook. 🙂

==============================================================

I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom.

5.555717 -0.196306

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