‘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 called for a Ghana that gives individual enterprise room to thrive while ensuring its wealth delivers quality education, healthcare and protection against poverty. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, he said the country’s openness must translate into governance that empowers people to create wealth.

“We tend to be open-minded and liberal, but that’s not how we’ve lived so far,” he said. 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. He placed good leadership and inclusive governance at the centre of that vision. He argued that Ghana has both the natural resources and human talent to build a prosperous society.

But achieving that future would require leaders to recognise individual entrepreneurs’ ability to turn their talents and resources into wealth. “We shouldn’t stifle initiative with excessive taxation,” he stated. He called for an environment where people can build legitimate fortunes, pay reasonable taxes and retain the rewards of their work. In his view, the state should provide the framework that empowers them.

“If we do that, allow the private sector to mature, to attract investments, both from within and from outside, the people are happy when they come here.” His vision also puts social protection alongside private enterprise. He said leadership must generate wealth to fund interventions that improve lives. Education was a central priority. “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 good healthcare and a safety net to protect people with disabilities and those without jobs from abject poverty.

Kufuor pointed to Ghana’s mineral resources, including gold, lithium, bauxite and manganese, as evidence of its potential. He also highlighted the character and abilities of its people. He described Ghanaians as people who interact, intermarry and pull together despite their differences. He said they learn well and distinguish themselves abroad. For Kufuor, the task is to turn those advantages into shared prosperity.

That means inclusive leadership, space for enterprise and public support that gives every Ghanaian a chance to live well.