John Kufuor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Kufuor
|
|
|---|---|
Kufuor in 2008
|
|
| 10th President of Ghana | |
| In office 7 January 2001 – 7 January 2009 |
|
| Vice President | Aliu Mahama |
| Preceded by | Jerry Rawlings |
| Succeeded by | John Atta Mills |
| 5th Chairperson of the African Union | |
| In office 30 January 2007 – 31 January 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Denis Sassou Nguesso |
| Succeeded by | Jakaya Kikwete |
| Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya | |
| In office 24 September 1979 – 31 December 1981 |
|
| In office 1 October 1969 – 13 January 1972 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor
8 December 1938 Kumasi, Colony of the Gold Coast |
| Political party | New Patriotic Party |
| Spouse |
Theresa Mensah
(m. 1962; died 2023) |
| Relations |
|
| Children | 5, including John Addo |
| Alma mater | Osei Tutu Boarding School Prempeh College Lincoln's Inn Exeter College, Oxford |
| Profession |
|
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor (born 8 December 1938) is a Ghanaian politician. He served as the tenth president of Ghana from 2001 to 2009. He was also the fifth leader of the African Union from 2007 to 2008. His election was important because it was the first time in Ghana's history that power changed peacefully from one democratic party to another. This happened after Jerry Rawlings finished his second term.
Kufuor has always been involved in the liberal-democratic side of Ghanaian politics. He worked as a lawyer and businessman. He was a minister in Kofi Abrefa Busia's government in the 1970s. Later, he was a leader in the opposition party. In the 2000s, Kufuor became the leader of the New Patriotic Party. He led the party to victory in the 2000 and 2004 elections. After serving two terms as president, he retired from politics in 2008. People often call him the Gentle Giant.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
John Kufuor was born in Daaban, a part of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He came from a royal family on his mother's side. He was the seventh of ten children. His primary school was the Kumasi Government School. From 1951 to 1953, he attended Osei Tutu Boarding School. He then went to Prempeh College from 1954 to 1958.
In 1959, Kufuor traveled to London to study law at Lincoln's Inn. He became a qualified lawyer in less than two years. In 1961, he was allowed to practice law in London. The next year, he was also allowed to practice law in Ghana. He then studied at Exeter College, Oxford and graduated in 1964.
After his studies, he worked at the GCB Bank in London as a manager. In 1965, he returned to Ghana. His mother wanted him to practice law in Africa. He worked with other lawyers and in 1966, he became the town clerk for Kumasi City Council. Kufuor enjoyed table tennis, reading, football, and movies. He was also once the chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko S.C. Football Club.
Early Political Career
After finishing his education, Kufuor began his political journey in Ghana. In 1967, he became the chief legal officer and town clerk for Kumasi. By 1969, he was a member of Parliament. He also served as the deputy foreign minister in Kofi Abrefa Busia's government.
Kufuor was a Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1979 to 1981. He helped start the Progress Party (Ghana). As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, he represented Ghana many times. He led Ghana's group to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. He also attended meetings of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the Non-Aligned Movement.
In 1970, he led a Ghanaian group to discuss Ghana's debts with countries like the Soviet Union. Later, as a leader in the opposition party, he joined President Hilla Limann at an OAU meeting. He also visited the United States in 1981 to talk about Ghana's economic problems. In 1982, Kufuor was asked to join a new government as the Secretary for Local Government. In this role, he helped create the rules for the current local District Assemblies.
Presidential Elections
On 20 April 1996, John Kufuor was chosen by his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to run for president. He campaigned for less than nine months. In the 1996 election, he received 39.62% of the votes.
On 23 October 1998, the NPP chose him again to run for president. He also became the official leader of the party. Kufuor won the presidential election in December 2000. In the first round, he got 48.4% of the votes. John Atta Mills, who was the Vice-president under Jerry Rawlings, came in second with 44.8%. This meant they had to have a second vote.
In the second vote, held on 28 December, Kufuor won with 56.9% of the votes. When Kufuor became president on 7 January 2001, it was a special moment. It was the first time in Ghana's history that a government peacefully handed over power to an opposition party. Kufuor was re-elected in 2004. He won 52.45% of the votes in the first round, so no second vote was needed. His party also won more seats in the Parliament of Ghana.
Presidency and Achievements
During his first term, Kufuor's government focused on carefully managing Ghana's money. The goal was to make the national economy stable and help it grow. He wanted to help Ghanaians use their skills to create businesses and new ideas. This vision was part of his Five Priority Areas Programme. These areas included good governance, improving farming, encouraging private businesses, better social services, and building more roads and buildings.
Kufuor's government received a lot of financial help from other countries. This was because donors trusted his democratic government more than previous military governments. In foreign policy, Kufuor focused on "economic diplomacy." This meant using good relationships with other countries to help Ghana's economy.
In Africa, he worked to be a good friend to nearby countries. Ghana, under Kufuor, helped bring peace to countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast. On the world stage, Kufuor worked for a fair international system. He also promoted Ghana's interests through agreements with other nations. He was invited to important international meetings, including G8 Summits and the World Economic Forum.
He served as the chairman of the West African group ECOWAS for two years (2003 and 2004). In 2007, Kufuor was chosen as the leader of the African Union for one year. He was succeeded by Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania in 2008. On 14 November 2007, Kufuor was in a car accident, but he was not hurt.
Improving Health in Ghana
President Kufuor started the National Health Insurance Scheme (Ghana). This program replaced the old system where people had to pay cash for healthcare. Over 11 million Ghanaians signed up for this health insurance. He also created the National Ambulance Service. His government built more than 205 hospitals and clinics. He also built a modern emergency center at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Kufuor also made sure that all pregnant mothers could get free healthcare in public hospitals.
Changes in Education
Kufuor introduced the capitation grant for children in basic schools. This meant each student received money for cultural sports and development. He also started the national school feeding program. This program provides meals to students in schools. He changed the Senior Secondary School curriculum from three years to four years. He also renamed it Senior High School. He began a program to upgrade some less fortunate schools to the level of top senior high schools.
Helping People with Money
Kufuor launched the Microfinance and Small Loans Program (MASLOC). This program provided small loans to people who wanted to start or grow businesses. He also introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Program (LEAP). This program gives direct cash to poor families who need help. During his time, it became easier and cheaper for people to borrow money.
Sports Development
He renovated the Accra Sports Stadium and the Baba Yara Stadium. He also built the Essipong and Tamale stadiums in 2008. These stadiums were used to host the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Under Kufuor's leadership, Ghana's national football team qualified for the World Cup in 2006 for the first time.
His good governance policies helped Ghana receive a large grant of $500 million from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Account. This money was used for economic development. The George Walker Bush Highway was also built using funds from this grant.
Personal Life
John Kufuor married Theresa Kufuor in 1962. They met in London in 1961. They have five children together. Kufuor and his family are members of the Catholic Church. He is also a high-ranking member of the United Grand Lodge of England Freemasons. He has openly said that he is a Freemason. Kufuor is from the Asante people and speaks the Twi language very well. He often used Twi when campaigning in his home region. Kufuor and his family live in Accra, the capital of Ghana. His wife, Theresa Kufuor, passed away on 1 October 2023. Kufuor has nine siblings: four brothers and five sisters.
After Presidency
In July 2009, Kufuor joined the SNV Netherlands Development Organization. He shares his knowledge to help reduce poverty. In September 2009, he spoke in the Netherlands about development aid. He explained how development aid helped Ghana enter the international financial market.
In 2009, he became the Governing Council Chairman of Interpeace. This is an organization that works for peace around the world. He also helped review how the World Bank Group is governed. Kufuor and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (former president of Brazil) both received the 2011 World Food Prize. They were honored for their efforts to reduce hunger and poverty in their countries.
On 20 September 2011, Kufuor started the John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation. This foundation aims to promote leadership, governance, and development. Former presidents from Germany and South Africa attended the opening. A library and museum named after Kufuor were also opened at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. In 2018, the foundation started the Kufuor Young Entrepreneurs Network (K-YEN). This program helps young business owners succeed.
In September 2017, the George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) appointed Kufuor as its first Chancellor. In January 2013, some supporters tried to stop Kufuor from attending the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama. Kufuor explained that he was invited as a former President, not as a party member. Police had to help him get to the event.
2024 General Elections
Before the 2024 Ghana Elections, former President John Kufuor publicly supported Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for president. He praised Dr. Bawumia's skills in managing the economy.
Awards and Honors
Kufuor has received many awards for his work. These include the Face-of-Good-Governance Award and the Chatham House Prize. He also received the Climate Change Award and was named a Global Ambassador Against Hunger by the World Food Program.
- Chatham House Prize (2008).
- Distinction of Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia (2008).
- World Federation of Honorary Consuls' Order of the Gold Star (2008).
- Honorary Fellow, Exeter College, Oxford University, and Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
- Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
- Awarded highest award of the Order of the House of Orange, given by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
- Received State Honors from various countries including Italy, Germany, and Brazil.
- Leadership and Governance award, Ghana UK-Based Achievement Awards, Impact Africa Summit (2016).
- Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England, appointed by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent.
Foreign Honors
Brazil:
Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross (2005)
Germany:
Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2008)
Italy:
Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2006)
Liberia:
Grand Cordon The Collar of State of the Order of the Pioneers of Liberia (2008)
Netherlands:
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (2008)
United Kingdom:
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (2006)
See also
In Spanish: John Kufuor para niños
- List of national leaders
- Kufuor government
- Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-IV), 2008.
