John Kufuor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Kufuor
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Kufuor in 2008
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| 10th President of Ghana | |
| In office 7 January 2001 – 7 January 2009 |
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| 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 |
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| Preceded by | Denis Sassou Nguesso |
| Succeeded by | Jakaya Kikwete |
| Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya | |
| In office 24 September 1979 – 31 December 1981 |
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| In office 1 October 1969 – 13 January 1972 |
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| 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 |
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| Children | 5, including John Addo |
| Alma mater | Osei Tutu Boarding School Prempeh College Lincoln's Inn Exeter College, Oxford |
| Profession |
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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 victory in 2000 was very important for Ghana. It was the first time power was peacefully transferred from one democratic party to another. Kufuor is often called the Gentle Giant.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Kufuor was born in Daaban, a part of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He was the seventh of ten children. He started his schooling at Kumasi Government School.
Later, he attended Osei Tutu Boarding School and Prempeh College. In 1959, he traveled to London to study law at Lincoln's Inn. He became a lawyer in 1961. The next year, he was also called to the bar in Ghana.
Kufuor then went to Oxford University and graduated in 1964. He worked as a manager and legal officer at the GCB Bank in London. In 1965, he returned to Ghana to practice law. He later became the town clerk of Kumasi City Council in 1966. He enjoyed table tennis, reading, football, and movies. He was once the chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko S.C. Football Club.
Beginning His Political Journey
After finishing his education, Kufuor started his political career in Ghana. In 1967, he became the chief legal officer for the city of Kumasi. By 1969, he was a Member of Parliament. He also served as the deputy foreign minister in the government led by Kofi Abrefa Busia.
Kufuor was a Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal District from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1979 to 1981. He helped start the Progress Party. As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, he represented Ghana at many international meetings. These included the United Nations General Assembly and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) meetings.
He also visited countries like the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia to discuss Ghana's debts. Later, he became the spokesperson for Foreign Affairs for the opposition party. In 1982, he was appointed Secretary for Local Government. In this role, he helped create the guidelines for Ghana's local government system.
Presidential Elections and Victory
In 1996, Kufuor was chosen by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to run for president. He campaigned for less than a year. In the 1996 election, he received 39.62% of the votes.
In 1998, the NPP chose him again to run for president and lead 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 at the time, came in second. This meant they had to have a second round of voting.
In the second round, held on 28 December, Kufuor won with 56.9% of the votes. When he became president on 7 January 2001, it was a historic moment for Ghana. It was the first time that a ruling 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 run-off was needed. His party also won more seats in the Parliament of Ghana.
Leading Ghana as President
During his first term, Kufuor's government focused on carefully managing Ghana's money. The goal was to make the economy stable and help it grow. He wanted to help Ghanaians use their talents to create wealth. This plan focused on five main areas:
- Good leadership
- Modernizing farming for rural areas
- Encouraging private businesses
- Improving social services
- Developing strong infrastructure like roads.
His government received a lot of financial help from other countries. This was because donors trusted his democratic government. Kufuor's foreign policy focused on "economic diplomacy." This meant using international relations to help Ghana's economy.
Under Kufuor, Ghana helped bring peace to countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Guinea-Bissau. On the world stage, Kufuor worked for a fair global economic system. He also promoted Ghana's interests through agreements with other countries.
He was invited to important international meetings, including G8 Summits and the World Economic Forum. He served as 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 injured.
Improving Health for Ghanaians
President Kufuor started the National Health Insurance Scheme. This program replaced the old system where people had to pay cash for healthcare. Over 11 million Ghanaians signed up for this new scheme.
He also created the National Ambulance Service. His government built more than 205 hospitals and clinics. A modern emergency center was also built at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Kufuor also made sure that all pregnant mothers received free healthcare in public hospitals.
Boosting Education
Kufuor introduced the capitation grant for primary school children. This meant each student received money for cultural activities and development. He also started the national school feeding program. This program provided meals for students.
He changed the Senior Secondary School curriculum from three years to four years. It was renamed Senior High School. He also began the "model school" concept. This helped improve some less privileged schools to the level of top senior high schools.
Making Money More Accessible
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 gave direct cash to poor families who needed help.
During his time, it became easier and cheaper for people to borrow money. Microfinance companies and banks actively encouraged small business owners to apply for loans.
Supporting Sports Development
Kufuor's government renovated the Accra Sports Stadium and the Baba Yara Stadium. They 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 leadership also 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 with these funds.
Personal Life
Kufuor married Theresa Kufuor in 1962. They met in London in 1961. They had five children together. Kufuor and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He is also a member of the Freemasons.
As an Asante, Kufuor 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.
After His Presidency
After leaving office in 2009, Kufuor continued to be involved in important work. In July 2009, he joined the International Advisory Board of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. This organization works to 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. He also gave a lecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Kufuor became the Governing Council Chairman of Interpeace in October 2009. This is an international organization that works to build peace. He also served on a commission that reviewed the governance of the World Bank Group.
In 2011, Kufuor and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil, received the World Food Prize. They were honored for their efforts to reduce hunger and poverty in their countries.
On 20 September 2011, Kufuor launched the John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation. This foundation aims to promote leadership, governance, and development. The JAK Centre for Leadership, Governance and Development was started at the University of Ghana. The Kufuor Presidential Library and Museum was also opened at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
In September 2018, the foundation created the Kufuor Young Entrepreneurs Network (K-YEN). This program helps young business owners succeed. Since November 2011, Kufuor has been the first high-level chair of the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership.
In September 2017, the George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) appointed Kufuor as its first Chancellor. This appointment took effect on 1 November 2017.
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. This endorsement led to some discussion, with Alan John Kyerematen suggesting that a former statesman should remain neutral.
Awards and Honors
Kufuor has received many awards for his work. These include the Face-of-Good-Governance Award, the Chatham House Prize, and the Climate Change Award. He was also named the World Food Program's Global Ambassador Against Hunger.
- Chatham House Prize (2008).
- 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 Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
- Highest award of the Order of the House of Orange, given by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
- State Honors from countries like Italy, Germany, and Brazil.
- Leadership and Governance award, Ghana UK-Based Achievement Awards (2016).
- Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England, appointed by Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent.
International 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.
