JJ Storms Kufuor Launch

From L to R: Eberhard Schanze (German Ambassador), Thabo Mbeki (Former President South Africa), John Agyekum Kufuor (Former President Ghana), Prof. Ernest Ayittey (Vice Chancellor Univ. of Ghaha), Horst Kohler (Former President IMF & Germany), Jerry John Rawlings (Former President Ghana) and Prof. Kwesi Yankah (Immediate past Pro-Vice Chancellor Univ. of Ghana).

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday September 21, 2011.
It was all pomp and pageantry at the campus of the University of Ghana when former President John Agyekum Kufuor brought three other former presidents to launch his foundation.

The foundation is going to promote excellence in leadership, governance and development.

Former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Horst Köhler of Germany delivered a lecture themed: “Walking the tightrope: Balancing state, market and society.”

Also there to show solidarity were a host of dignitaries including NPP flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and many former NPP appointees, representatives of political parties particularly the newly elected Chairperson of the CPP Samia Nkrumah, the academia, religious bodies, civil society organizations as well as students.

Before the German President’s lecture at the Great Hall of Ghana’s premier university, Presidents Kohler and Mbeki accompanied Mr. Kufuor to the project site to officially break the ground for construction of the John Agyekum Kufuor Center of Excellence.

The Great Hall was packed and some of the audience had to stay outside throughout the programme.

Immediately Professor Kwesi Yankah, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university who was the moderator announced the presence of former President Rawlings and Nana Akufo-Addo in the course of the programme, the audience greeted each announcement with huge applauds.

An elated former President Kufuor in acknowledging the presence of his predecessor said “the presence of former President Rawlings shows how the foundation is determined to be non-partisan.”

Making an introductory remark, Mr. Kufuor said the center will serve as a think tank on institutional and socio-economic development issues and added that the foundation will have a global outlook.

He said the center will focus on critical thinking and provide an atmosphere that will ensure that the youth are nurtured on how to become responsible leaders.

“In my time in office, I became convinced that good and exemplary leadership is the critical ingredient for national development and after retiring I decided to leave a legacy for the emerging generation.”

President Mbeki in his solidarity message said it was time for authorities and institutions on the continent to make concerted efforts to provide quality leadership and nurturing for the youth.

He commended President Kufuor for establishing the foundation and said it will serve as an inspiration for the youth to strive for excellence.

Professor Ernest Aryitey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana who chaired the lecture said “this is the first this university or any other university in the country is playing host to such an event.”

He said the commitment shown by former President Kufuor should help to strengthen the bond between politics and the academia and also facilitate the effort to nurture the youth take up leadership position.