Late journalist, author, and traditional leader Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng has left behind a powerful intellectual legacy in the form of his completed autobiography, “What I Choose to Remember,” which was launched in Accra on Sunday ahead of his burial.
The 22-chapter book, finished shortly before his passing in May 2025, chronicles his journey from childhood through student activism, journalism, and political advocacy. Blending humour and storytelling, Nana Gyan-Apenteng provides first-hand accounts of national events while advancing his lifelong pursuit of social justice.
The launch, held at GNAT Hall, brought together family, friends, academics, and dignitaries in what became both a literary celebration and a moment of remembrance. The Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who chaired the event, described the book as a testament to the author’s character and intellectual depth.
“Kwasi wanted us to do better as a country. He believed in decentralisation as the best path for development, ensuring people had control over their own resources,” the Okyehene remarked while officially launching the book.
Nana K.A. Busia of the University of London, who reviewed the autobiography, hailed it as a rich source of primary data for scholars of politics, sociology, and international affairs. “For Kwasi, writing and journalism was never an end in itself, but a means to challenge the status quo and push for social justice,” he said.
Tributes highlighted Nana Gyan-Apenteng’s dual role as a journalist and reformist. Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, former Chair of the National Media Commission (NMC), noted his proposals to streamline the Commission into a more effective nine-member body working full-time. Dr. Nana Charles Sifa Twum of the Ghana News Agency praised his fearlessness in calling out society’s ills, urging today’s media practitioners to continue his fight.
The autobiography, his family revealed, was deliberately published before his funeral to honour his wish of leaving behind a written account of his life’s work. Nana Gyan-Apenteng, who served as Chairman of the NMC, passed away in London at age 74 while undergoing medical treatment. He will be laid to rest on October 4, 2025, at Tafo Ati in the Eastern Region.
For his admirers, “What I Choose to Remember” is not only a personal memoir but also his final message — a call to Ghana to uphold justice, decentralisation, and the power of words in nation-building.
