How old is former president john agyekum kufuor

Kufuor won the presidential elections in December and was sworn in as President on January 7, His social vision was anchored on unleashing the entrepreneurial, creative and innovative potential of Ghanaians as a means of creating wealth and hence dealing with the social challenges facing Ghanaians. This socio-economic vision was encapsulated in the Five Priority Areas Programme vis the pursuit of good governance, modernization of agriculture for rural development, private sector participation, enhanced social services and vigorous infrastructural development.

On the global stage President Kufuor has actively sought the establishment of a just and equitable international social and economic order and promoted and safeguarded the interests of Ghana at the bilateral and multilateral level. His stature as statesman, democrat and credible spokesman for Africa has found expression in his invitation to major international meetings and conferences including the founding summit of the AU, G8 Summits in Sea Island, Georgia and Glenneagles, Scotland and the World Economic Forum among others.

Due to the policy successes his administration chalked President Kufuor had his mandate renewed in and was sworn into office on 7th January Kufuor is happily married to Theresa Nee Mensah. The marriage is blessed with five children. Kufuor and his family belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Skip to content Jamaica Information Service. Government of Jamaica.

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National Security. It was considered by many to be a turning point in Ghana's future. In Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to claim independence from colonists. The country was then basically handed from one man to another through a system of personal and political loyalties, and without the benefit of democratic elections. There are two distinct groups in Ghana: the Nkrumah, who are anti-imperialistic, pan-Africa, socialist, and believe in government involvement in the economy; and the Danquah-Busia, who believe in democracy, the sovereignty of the individual, private enterprise, and free markets.

Kufuor belonged to the latter. After such an extended period of rule by one person, many were nervous about how the turnover of power would go, but the change went smoothly. Kufuor managed to win the election with the platform of "zero tolerance for corruption. The country was also doing poorly economically, mostly because of such corruption, and people were ready for a change.

Kufuor was nicknamed the "gentle giant" because he was tall—at six feet, three inches—and quiet, and yet he seemed to instill confidence in those he was to lead. In Kufuor made his first trip to the United States as president of Ghana. He attended a luncheon set up to establish links between Ghana and black American business leaders, with the goal of forging links that would help his country in the future.

Although he was called the "gentle giant," Kufuor meant business. In he set up a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to examine abuses of power occurring under the five governments that had ruled Ghana since Some felt these measures were undertaken in order to discredit anyone opposing Kufuor's government.

But whatever the opposition Kufuor faced, he was reelected in This time his campaign message was "So far, so good," showing that there had been progress in Ghana in his first term. More than 80 percent of the population turned out to vote in the elections; it was the largest turnout in west African history. After Kufuor won his second term in office the PR Newswire said, "Domestic and international election observers agreed that the contest was free, fair, and transparent.

Ghana, many observers noted, is one of the few countries in Africa to have held four consecutive multiparty elections since By August of Kufuor had visited over 63 countries as president of Ghana, and Kufuor had great support from the international community. He helped Liberia achieve peace, was the first ruler to submit his country to review by the New Partnership for Africa's Development, and was a spokesperson for the six leaders from Africa who attended the G8 summit in He has been seen as one of a handful of leaders of an African Renaissance, helping to bring stability and success to Africa.

Kufour has been called a "boring" leader by some in his own country, but that is something that does not upset the ruler. He has said that if boredom has brought with it the peace and stability his country needs, then he thinks there should be more boredom in the world.

African Business said of Kufuor, "True, he does not go for fiery, clenched-fist speeches that seem to characterize some of Africa's more 'charismatic' leaders, but he has unmistakable gravitas, a disarming sense of humor and most important, people listen when he speaks and then go home and think about what they have heard.

He treats ordinary people as sane, reasonable human beings who will respond to sane, reasonable propositions rather than as a mass who can be manipulated through demagoguery. In the country had a poverty level of 40 percent, and it was Kufuor's goal to reduce the number significantly.

In Kufuor worked to update the country's railway system, establishing the Ghana Railway Development Authority. In he declared a Year of Action in Ghana. He met with his Investment Advisory Council and declared, according to African Business , that "talking was past and that this would be the year of 'implementation, implementation and implementation. Although the rate of growth has been about 5. With this goal in mind and the realization of how difficult it would be, Kufuor looked internationally for aid.

In he appealed to South Korea for support in attracting private investments. He also met with U. President George W. Bush to discuss receiving aid from the Millennium Challenge Account. The world was watching Kufuor at the beginning of , and much was expected of the determined ruler.

Economist U. Toggle navigation. Newsmakers , Issue 4, Thomson Gale, PR Newswire, December 17, Xinhua News Agency, October 5, ; November 8, User Contributions: 1. Anthony Ossei. Indeed a Great Man par excellence. Kwame Nkrumah left monuments in as many years.

Kufuor equalled and rehabilitated the latter's for a better Ghana. Kufuor was destined to be President - to send Ghana very high after the lull of many, many years! President Kufuor defeated Professor J.