‘We tend to be open-minded and liberal, but that’s not how we’ve lived so far’ – Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has advocated for a Ghana where individual enterprise is allowed to flourish while ensuring its wealth generates high-quality education, healthcare, and poverty protection. In an interview on Joy News' PM Express, Kufuor explained that the nation's open-mindedness and liberalism must be reflected in governance that empowers people to create wealth.

He emphasized that Ghana possesses the natural resources and human talent necessary to build a prosperous society, but achieving this future requires leaders who recognize the ability of individual entrepreneurs to turn their talents and resources into wealth. Kufor cautioned against stifling initiative with excessive taxation and called for an environment where people can build legitimate fortunes, pay reasonable taxes, and retain the rewards of their labor. He believed that the state should provide the framework to empower these individuals.

Kufuor's vision also places emphasis on social protection alongside private enterprise, with leaders generating wealth to fund interventions that improve lives. He highlighted education as a central priority, striving to ensure that all children in Ghana receive exceptional education. Healthcare and a safety net for people with disabilities or those without jobs were also critical components of his vision.

Drawing on Ghana's mineral resources, such as gold, lithium, bauxite, and manganese, Kufuor showcased the country's potential. He further praised the character and abilities of the Ghanaians, describing them as individuals who interact, intermarry, and pull together despite their differences. He also noted their ability to learn and distinguish themselves abroad.

For Kufuor, the challenge lies in transforming these advantages into shared prosperity through inclusive leadership, space for enterprise, and public support that offers every Ghanaian the chance to live well.