John Agyekum Kufuor: the very model of a former leader | Characteristics

Some of our leaders have adapted to life after the presidency with a grace that shows that they care about Ghana's interests. Why do others seem to find their new status so difficult? He took the initiative to help advance national life and perhaps compensate for what he could not do before leaving power.

I now think that I understand the motive behind President Kufuor's proposal, when he was about to step down, that Ghana should consider extending the mandate of our five-to-five Presidents.

This innocuous suggestion became a hot topic of debate at the time. Ghanaians rushed to share their views on the subject and regular chopper bars badessed the advantages and disadvantages of this idea. For me, it is definitely worth considering – but from my position, dear reader, this seems to be a distant and unlikely prospect.

It has been ten years since Kufuor left Jubilee House and until now, we have done nothing to materialize his idea. Ghana may not need it. It is often said that men's dreams are getting bigger and bigger than time allows.

Serving as president is a huge privilege and has a great influence. I'm sure President Kufuor would have liked to get a lot more, but the eight-year time frame prescribed by the 1992 constitution was limited.

Strangle mediocrity

Democrat as he was, Kufuor resigned in the constitutionally correct way – but he always saw the need to make his idea known. It was a brilliant idea too … but, all other things being equal, we may not have the chance to always choose presidents who have the best interests of our country at heart. For this reason, it could be dangerous to ask our leaders more time.

Some may come to power with grim intentions that can destroy everything others have worked on. It is perhaps for this reason that the drafters of our constitution have limited the term of office to four years, as in the federal system in force in the United States of America.

This was probably intended to allow citizens to eliminate the mediocre leaders in a timely manner, especially as impeachment laws are lame in our part of the world. And that's what happened in Ghana just two years ago.

Continued leadership

Reading the Daily Statesman on Friday, November 2, 2018, I found a title on page 15: "Asante Kotoko will host Ashgold on December 2 in the J Cup Kufuor".

The game is organized by the JA Kufuor Foundation on the occasion of the 80th birthday of the former president. I was surprised because I had not known that Kotoko was arguing with Hearts for the cup. As I read the story, however, I learned that Hearts had left the game for reasons they knew best.

This match was supposed to help raise 80 million GHC, the equivalent of $ 15 million. I have gasped. Wow, GHC80m? To celebrate a single birthday? I read on.

Then my eyes settled on what I needed to know. The proceeds of the charity game will be used to promote the well-being of all Ghanaians. Of the $ 15 million, $ 5 million will be used to build an ultramodern center for governance and leadership study, which will be based at the University of Ghana, Legon.

We must not forget that Kufuor created a leadership center in 2009, just one year after leaving office. He is currently trying to put in place a better equipped version of his institute, the report said, in the country's first university. Could this suggest that he has identified a gap in Ghana's governance?

I was upset to learn that the remaining $ 10 million would be invested in the Kufuor Foundation fund and that the proceeds would be used to manage foundation projects.

It was also refreshing to note some of the projects mentioned in the report, such as the Kufuor Scholarship Program, the Young Entrepreneur Network, a series of annual Governance and Development Conferences, election observers and a prize for leadership at the community level.

The former president is committed to contributing to the advancement of national life with these projects and perhaps compensate what he could not do before leaving power. These are the kinds of activities in which we all would like our former leaders to engage, rather than growl on the side, betraying their thirst for power.

We must all use our time, opportunities and privileges with caution. If we are not cautious about our talents and therefore can not use them, we can expect others to move on.

Capacity? building

In my sincere opinion, our past presidents should not be seen as trying to return to their former status. After all, leadership is not the exclusive preserve of the few. This may have prompted Kufuor to undertake the training of future leaders, to correct the wrongs caused by his mandate and to uphold the rights of ordinary citizens.

Even if we are able, we can only accomplish many things in a given amount of time. We must therefore seek to advance what we have been able to do by different means. It is dangerous to continue to defend a good cause using only one method.

Jerry John Rawlings did his part for the development of Ghana. He is infamous for criticizing the leaders who followed him, but he often does so constructively and solely for the good of Ghana. Why can not ex-president Mahama act the same way?

Here is a man who left office only recently and who should have the capacity to carry out projects that will help Ghana to progress. This would at least show the Ghanaians his intentions for the nation. This country is lucky to have role models in Presidents Kufuor and Rawlings.

John Mahama will be respected and revered as a former president when he will behave in this way. Rather than indulging in dirty party politics, insults and a lack of respect for others. What does Mahama wish to do if he claims to have accomplished almost everything? Is he the only competent person at the National Democratic Congress? On the other hand, Kufuor's efforts beyond the presidency will go a long way in filling the governance gap in the near future.

Ancient glory

Goodluck Jonathan, the last president of Nigeria, and John Dramani Mahama, his Ghanaian counterpart, came to power in almost identical circumstances and during the same political period. At one point, both applied the same economic and social policies. Their lines on governance were almost indistinguishable. The downward trend hit them one after the other, under very close circumstances.

According to the Nigerian constitution, Jonathan is eligible to run for president. Maybe he decided not to do it in February of next year because he regained some dignity by remaining a former leader of his country. As such, he can do as Kufuor here in Ghana and still advocate for Nigeria.

In Ghana, we have a former leader who wants to come back to power for reasons he knows best. Instead of serving Ghana, he wants Mother Ghana to give him another chance – after serving as deputy, deputy minister, minister, opposition spokesman, vice president and president. Is he the only Ghanaian who can solve the problems of our country?

Ghana could benefit more from Mahama as a former president. He did a terrible job even when he knew that he might have a second chance to run for office. What would happen now that he knows that it's his last chance under the 1992 constitution?

The NDC can help persuade Mahama to cancel his decision to run by voting against it, which will give him the opportunity to regain the glory of the presidency. But if the party does not do it, it will be treated as any other candidate during the 2020 election campaign. And I hope that if that happens, there will be no noise or "retaliation" of the kind that was inflicted on Kwesi Parker-Wilson of Joy News.