By James McKeown
At dawn in Accra, when the city still lingers between sleep and awakening, wrapped in the quiet stillness that precedes the rush of a new day, a distinguished public servant stood ready at his residence. There were no flashing lights, no protocols, no aides, no ceremony – only a sense of purpose. It was a little past 5:00 a.m., and Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah was waiting, fully prepared to honour an agreement made the previous day. The plan was simple but demanding: We had agreed to meet at his residence at first light and proceed together to the home of H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
At the time, Dr. Bawumia was engaged in one of the most demanding undertakings in public life, campaigning to become President of the Republic of Ghana on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party. His schedule was exceptionally tight, with long days on the campaign trail and little room for unscheduled engagements. We reasoned that our best chance of meeting him would be before the machinery of the day began to move and before the pressures of the day set in – early in the morning, quietly, without disruption. It was a practical decision, one shaped by the realities of high-stakes national politics.
Moments like these reveal character more clearly than official titles ever could.
In every generation, a nation is blessed with individuals whose excellence is neither loud nor performative, yet whose impact is unmistakable. The quiet excellence of such individuals leaves indelible marks on institutions and on the people they encounter. Such individuals do not merely occupy office; they dignify it. They do not merely speak of values; they embody them. Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah belongs firmly to this rare category of Ghanaians. His recent appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Law at Central University is therefore not merely an academic milestone, but a national moment worthy of reflection and celebration.
My first personal encounter with Professor Attafuah was in August 2024, at a time when I was undertaking a delicate but important assignment on behalf of the NPP–Finland Branch. After the successful completion of a groundbreaking book titled ‘‘The Audacity of Possibilities’’, written by the NPP Finland Branch, which chronicles the ideas, leadership philosophy, and political journey of H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, we sought a foreword writer who did not merely know Dr. Bawumia by name, but understood him deeply – his convictions, discipline, and public service ethos.
Professor Attafuah came highly recommended by one of the contributors to the book, Thompson Owusu-Appiah Kubi. The recommendation was not accidental. Professor Attafuah is not only a close friend of Dr. Bawumia; their relationship is rooted in shared history, intellectual camaraderie, and mutual respect. Both men attended Simon Fraser University, and their bond transcends politics and public office. Indeed, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia served as the Best Man at Professor Attafuah’s wedding, a testament to the depth of their friendship. These connections made Professor Attafuah an exceptionally fitting choice to write the foreword of ‘‘The Audacity of Possibilities’’, lending the book authenticity, insight, credibility and moral authority.
When the book was ready for presentation, I was sent to Ghana by the NPP–Finland Branch to formally introduce it to H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, then Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. Upon my arrival in Accra, I made what many would consider an audacious decision: I went straight to the headquarters of the National Identification Authority (NIA) to look for Professor Attafuah without an appointment.
At the time, Professor Attafuah was serving as the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority, one of the most demanding public offices in Ghana. Convincing the reception staff that such a busy man would be willing to see a complete stranger without prior appointment was no easy task. After some hesitation, one officer agreed to inform him of my presence. I had never met Professor Attafuah in person, nor spoken with him directly, apart from a brief text message informing him that I would be in Ghana.
What followed left a lasting impression on me.
Instead of declining the meeting or asking me to come later with appointment, Professor Attafuah received me warmly, with a humility that was both disarming and profound. He treated me not as an inconvenience, but as a guest, almost as someone he had known for years. More remarkably, he personally took me around the NIA, moving from office to office, patiently explaining the systems, reforms, and innovations that had transformed the Authority into one of Ghana’s most respected public institutions.
What I witnessed was leadership in its purest form: hands-on, visionary, and deeply patriotic. Under his stewardship as Executive Secretary, the National Identification Authority had become a symbol of efficiency, institutional credibility, and national pride.
Professor Attafuah assured me that he would contact Dr. Bawumia to arrange a meeting. At the time, the Vice President was campaigning in the Bono Region and was expected to return to Accra that night. We agreed to meet before 6:00 a.m. the following morning. Determined to make a good impression, I arrived at Professor Attafuah’s residence at 5:15 a.m.
To my utter astonishment, he was already waiting. Which “Biiiiig Man” of his calibre in Ghana does this?
We proceeded together to Dr. Bawumia’s residence, only to be informed that unforeseen circumstances had prevented the Vice President from returning to Accra the previous night. Though the meeting could not take place, the journey itself became a masterclass. In our brief conversation, Professor Attafuah’s depth of knowledge, breadth of experience, and unwavering love for Ghana were unmistakable. Speak with him for only a few minutes, and you immediately sense a man driven not by ambition, but by service.
It is therefore no surprise that Professor Attafuah successfully transformed the National Identification Authority into a model public institution. Nor is it surprising that Central University has now entrusted him with the leadership of its Faculty of Law.
His appointment as Dean is an excellent and inspired choice.
Professor Attafuah’s academic acumen is indubitable. An accomplished legal scholar, a formidable intellectual, and a passionate advocate for the rule of law, he has consistently demonstrated an unapologetic commitment to justice and human rights. His defence of constitutionalism and human dignity both in scholarship and public service sets him apart as a jurist of conscience and courage.
On a personal note, I must confess that Professor Attafuah has quietly become one of my role models since our encounter. Rarely do you meet a person whose character so profoundly reshapes your worldview after just one interaction. He is proof that brilliance and humility can coexist; that authority need not diminish humanity.
As Ghana continues its search for ethical leadership, strong institutions, and principled scholarship, the nation needs more Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuahs – men and women who serve with integrity, think deeply, and act selflessly.
I therefore take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah on his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Law at Central University. The university has gained not just a dean, but a builder, a mentor, and a proper human being.
Ghana is proud of you, Professor.
The writer, James McKeown, is the Chairman, NPP-Finland Branch. Writer’s email: jamckeow@ulapland.fi
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