John Kufuor, born on December 8, 1938, in Kumasi, Ghana, served as the President of Ghana from 2001 to 2009.
He was the second president of Ghana’s Fourth Republic and chaired the African Union from 2007 to 2008.
Kufuor, a lawyer educated at Oxford, began his political career in the late 1960s and led the New Patriotic Party to victory in the 2000 elections, marking Ghana’s first peaceful democratic transition of power.
His presidency focused on economic stabilization and international relations, earning him accolades for his efforts in combating hunger and promoting democracy.
Education background
Kufuor attended the prestigious Prempeh College in Kumasi for his secondary education.
After his time at Prempeh, he pursued further studies in the United Kingdom.
Kufuor enrolled at Exeter College, University of Oxford, where he earned a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).
He later pursued a graduate law degree at the same institution, equipping him with a strong legal and political framework that would define his career.
Career before politics
Before venturing into politics, Kufuor had a distinguished career as a lawyer and businessman.
Upon returning to Ghana after his studies, he joined the Ghanaian legal profession, gaining recognition for his astute understanding of legal and governance matters.
Kufuor also served as a management consultant, leveraging his expertise in economics and governance to advise both public and private entities.
Entering politics and climbing the ranks
Kufuor’s political career began in the 1960s during Ghana’s First Republic under President Kwame Nkrumah.
He was elected as a member of parliament for the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency in 1969 under the Progress Party (PP) led by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia.
When Busia became Prime Minister, Kufuor was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position that allowed him to gain international exposure and build diplomatic networks.
However, the overthrow of the Busia government in 1972 by a military coup led to a temporary pause in Kufuor’s political journey.
He returned to public service during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era in the early 1980s, briefly serving as the Secretary for Local Government under President Jerry Rawlings.
Kufuor later became a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 1992.
Despite the party’s early challenges, including a boycott of the 1992 parliamentary elections, Kufuor emerged as a unifying figure.
He was the NPP’s presidential candidate in 1996, although he lost to Jerry Rawlings.
Undeterred, he contested again in 2000, winning against Professor John Atta Mills and becoming Ghana’s first democratically elected president to succeed another under the Fourth Republic.
Presidency
Kufuor’s administration prioritized economic stability, poverty reduction, and governance reform.
One of his flagship initiatives was the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which aimed to provide affordable healthcare to Ghanaians.
Kufuor also spearheaded infrastructure development, including road networks, schools, and energy projects.
His administration secured Ghana’s inclusion in the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, which provided debt relief and facilitated increased investment in social services.
On the international front, Kufuor served as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) from 2007 to 2008, mediating in conflicts such as the post-election violence in Kenya.
His leadership earned him global recognition, including the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in 2011.
Retirement
After serving two terms, Kufuor stepped down in 2009, handing over to Professor John Atta Mills in a peaceful transition of power.
In retirement, he has remained an influential figure in global and African governance.
Kufuor established the John A. Kufuor Foundation, focusing on leadership and governance, food security, and climate change.
The foundation runs programs aimed at mentoring young leaders and promoting sustainable development across Africa.
Kufuor has also served on various international boards and initiatives, including the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition and the United Nations’ Global Compact.
Personal life
Kufuor was married to Theresa Kufuor from 1962 until her passing on October 1, 2023.
They had five children, namely J. Addo Kufuor, Nana Ama Gyamfi, Saah Kufuor, Agyekum Kufuor, and Owusu Afriyie Kufuor.
Theresa was a nurse and midwife, known for her quiet influence and charitable work, including founding the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation.
The couple also had eight grandchildren.
Alleged relationship with Gloria Orwoba
Recent speculation surrounds a rumored relationship between Senator Gloria Orwoba and Kufuor.
Reports suggest they may be dating, with some claiming Orwoba is pregnant with Kufuor’s child.
However, Orwoba has publicly issued a statement on the rumours, demanding an apology from a newspaper that reported the affair.
“For the better part of my career as a female politician, I have had to deal with all forms of violence – verbal and physical. I have bravely confronted powerful men across all the social strata up to the apex of leadership challenging them on certain actions and inaction that entrench and perpetuate negative patriarchy,” Orwoba said in a statement.
She added;
“That we shamelessly infringe and invade private spaces especially for women and including those of minors who cannot afford the right of reply is unfortunate. At the very least an Honourable Statesman of Africa like H.E. John Kuffuor should be given his right of reply. For these, I demand an apology and withdrawal of this article and the propaganda it insinuates.”
