Kufuor outlines Ghanaian dream built on inclusive governance and private enterprise

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has outlined a Ghanaian dream anchored in inclusive governance, quality education and a private sector free to create wealth. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, he called for leadership that turns the country’s resources into opportunities for all. He also urged the state to support individual enterprise and avoid excessive taxation.

Kufuor was responding to a question about his vision for Ghana over the next 50 years and the future he hopes young people will inherit. “With good leadership, Inclusive governance,” he said. He argued that Ghana has the natural resources and human talent to build a prosperous society. He cited gold, lithium, bauxite and manganese as part of that potential.

But his vision extended beyond mineral wealth. He pointed to Ghanaians’ ability to live together, learn and distinguish themselves abroad. “They interact well. They intermarry.” He said the country’s people have largely pulled together rather than resorting to violent extremes. For him, those qualities provide a foundation for effective leadership.

Kufuor said wealth creation must support social interventions. Education, healthcare and protection for vulnerable people were central to the future he described. “We must ensure that all the children of this land are given some of the finest education you can get anywhere.” He also called for a safety net to prevent people with disabilities and those without jobs from living in abject poverty.

Alongside those protections, Kufuor made a strong case for private enterprise. He said leadership must recognise the Ghanaian entrepreneur’s ability to use talent and resources to generate wealth. “We shouldn’t stifle initiative with, say, excessive taxation.” He argued that people who make their wealth legitimately should be allowed to retain it while paying reasonable taxes.

“The state should gather the framework to empower the people.” In his vision, the government would create conditions for businesses to grow. A stronger private sector would then attract investment from both Ghana and abroad. Kufuor said the country’s openness was an advantage. But he acknowledged a gap between that potential and what the country has experienced so far.

“We tend to be open-minded and liberal, but that’s not how we’ve lived so far.”