Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says when he looks back on his life and all his achievements so far, all that he can say is “God has favoured me so much, I’m thankful”.
Speaking on Asaase Radio, he indicated his 82 years’ experience in life has only taught him to be very thankful to God for he has been privilege to visit all the seven continents of this world and “ending my chosen career at the top as the President of Ghana”.
“I look back and I am so thankful that it’s a fulfilled life. If you’re looking at the chosen career or if you’re looking at family, like meeting my wife for 58 years with five children and 13 grandchildren solid […], so I sit back and say God you’ve favoured me so much, I’m thankful…,” Kufuor said with a broad smile.
He added that, when he looks at how the people of Ghana from the North to South, East to West, have been treating him with respect and dignity, he can only be thankful.
“I’m happy,” he stressed.
Background
John Agyekum Kufuor won the year 2000 presidential election as the NPP candidate. In the first round, held on December 7, Kufuor led with 48.4%, while John Atta-Mills, Jerry Rawlings’ Vice-President, came in second at 44.8%, thus forcing a run-off election.
In the second round, held on December 28, Kufuor was victorious, polling 56.9% of the valid votes cast. When Kufuor was sworn in on January 7, 2001, it marked the first time in Ghana’s history that an elected president had peacefully transferred power to the opposition.
Kufuor was re-elected on December 7, 2004, with 52.45% with his party also increasing its parliamentary majority.
As President of the Republic of Ghana, the ‘Gentle Giant’ reconstructed and rehabilitated some sports stadia, the Flagstaff House which he renamed Golden Jubilee House and the Accra-Tema commuter railway line.
He also built the Keta Sea Defence Wall, the Bui Dam, and Bui City, the Boankra Inland Port (still under construction), and major Feeder and Trunk roads.His major road projects are Accra-Kumasi, Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Accra-Aburi, and several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Asafo interchange.The restoration of Peduase Lodge and the drilling of several boreholes culminating in the solution to the then perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale were also major issues he addressed.Kufuor also expanded the Aboadze Thermal Plant, built the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in […]