DR. DUFUOR & MRS. DORDZIE DAY OF HONOUR

Culled from The Online Independent

By Richmond Keelson

Two personalities were honoured at the 10th Anniversary Dinner/Lecture of The Independent. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Mrs. Justice Agnes Dordzie, a High Court Judge, received plaques for winning The Independent’s Personality of the Year Awards for the years 1998 and ‘97 respectively.

While Dr. Duffuor honoured the invitation, Mrs. Dordzie could not because of ill-health but the award was received on her behalf.

An elated Dr. Duffuor was pleased that the general public appreciates the work being done by the Central Bank and declared: “it showed that it is not only the politician who is popular.”

He paid glowing tribute to President Rawlings, whom he said has been very supportive and encouraged him to take drastic reforms in the banking sector which today, the ordinary Ghanaian is even appreciating.

Teacher, Economist and Banker, Dr. Duffour attended Prempeh College and the University of Ghana where he distinguished himself in academic endeavours, graduating with a B. Sc. (Economics) in 1968.

His quest for higher academic and professional excellence found him at the Syracuse University, New York, for post-graduate studies culminating in being awarded an MBA (Finance and Banking), M. A. (Economics) and finally a Doctor of Philosophy in International Finance.

His love for Ghana saw him start his career with the Ghana Commercial Bank in 1969 where he held various positions, notable among which were Special Assistant to the Managing Director, Chief Economist and Head of the Research Department.

Duty also took him to London where he worked at the London Branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank.

In recognition of his hard work and contribution to the growth of the Ghana Commercial Bank, the Government appointed him the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana in 1995. Here again, he brought his compensation of complex economic issues to bear on Ghana’s fiscal management. Besides, he restructured the Consolidated Fund or Central Government’s accounts. He also chaired the Implementation Committee of the Financial and Structural Adjustment Programme of the International Monetary Fund and the Government of Ghana.

Dr. Duffuor’s elevation to the high office of Governor of the Bank of Ghana saw the pursuit of tight monetary and fiscal policies which have led to slow growth in Reserve money and Broad money, a fall in the inflation rate, strengthening of the cedi, coupled with the stability of the exchange rate as well as a significant improvement in Government’s fiscal position.

These are no mean achievements, and it is in this vein that when our esteemed readers were invited to poll for the Man of The Year, 1998, they overwhelmingly chose him from a strong field of seven.

Mrs. Justice Agnes Mercy Abla Dordzie attended OLA Girls Secondary School in Ho. She entered the University of Ghana in 1974 where she successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law and Political Science in 1977.

Not Satisfied with just a first degree, she took the Professional Law Course (BL) after the completion of her National Service and was called to the Bar in 1980.

After a successful practice for seven years, Mrs. Dordzie joined the Bench in May 1987 as a District Magistrate and was promoted a Circuit Court Judge in 1991.

Mrs Dordzie was appointed to the Superior Court as a High Court Judge in December 1995.

In her years on the bench and particularly as High Court Judge, she has presided over several significant cases in the political realm.

She has amidst media glare and public scrunity handled all such cases with courage, fairness, without fear of favour, relying on her conscience and the knowledge of the laws of the land and her God.

In 1997, Mr. Dordzie indeed caught the attention of the public when she presided over two major cases involving the media and the electoral commission.

Her judgements on these two cases may not have pleased all parties involved in the disputes, but she won the respect of all and sundry for her strength in upholding the law according to her conscience.

Readers of The Independent recognised the sterling qualities of strength, courage and honesty as well as deep insight into jurisprudence that her calm posture does not reveal, and voted her as The Personality of The Year 1997.