Kufuor Does It Again!

If there were any sceptics who thought that our current President's reign would bring nothing good to the country, I believe they've started revising their notes. He has achieved so much within and outside the nation. A release dated September 8, 2006, rated the country the ninth in the world and the first in Africa in terms of countries that have reformed over the years.

Once again, the President was the first to submit to the African Peer Review Mechanism. As of the end of October 2006, for the first time, our external reserves crossed the two billion dollar mark. So far, the country has been the single largest beneficiary of the US Millennium Challenge Account, in spite of all the new developments and the panic as to whether the Bush administration would make good its promise. It should be stressed that President George W. Bush, in his recent State of the Union Address, renewed his appeal to Congress saying, “I ask that you fund the Millennium Challenge Account, so that American Aid reaches the people who need it, in nations where democracy is on the rise and corruption is in retreat.”

 Also, for the first time, the country's senior national team, the Black Stars, qualified for and participated in the World Cup.

 The same President Kufuor headed the government to introduce commendable policies like National Youth Employment Programme, Capitation Grant, The NEPAD School Feeding Programme. It is worthy of mention that all the feats and successes enumerated above were chalked up within a single year and within Ghana alone. I could keep counting endlessly if I am to veer into other years of his regime.

 Moving beyond the frontiers of Ghana , it should not be glossed over that barely two years into his presidency he assumed chairmanship of ECOWAS for two consecutive terms (2003 and 2004). His exemplary leadership both at the national and sub-regional levels were among other considerations that compelled his peers to give him another year at the end of his first term in 2003.

Judging from the above, among others, it is no mystery that in our golden jubilee year, our legendary President should be unanimously elected by and not on compromise to occupy the high office of the AU. Is it not worth mentioning that he is the first Ghanaian President to assume that role after our founding father, Nkrumah? At least, our pioneering role in the formation of the AU, then OAU, has been rewarded, not on nothing, but based on the current government's democratic credentials and the people of Ghana's unflinching support of his governance.

 It is my hope and belief that petty social commentators will not attempt to downplay this feat by making childish and politically-motivated arguments. The President, it should be noted, was not elected as a compromise candidate but on consensus. Hear the AU Commission President making the decision known to newsmen: “The Ghanaian President would be the next AU's Chairman. By consensus [emphasis mine], it is President Kufuor.” May I inform the mischief and petty mongers that the leader of the largest opposition party in the country, Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC, has indeed congratulated the President?

 'Agyewodin' (Great) Kufuor, the epitome of genuine accountability, congratulations and thank you for your New Year and Golden, Jubilee gift to the country. We, the sincere and grateful citizens of the land of Ghana are genuinely proud of you and your government.

Story By John Mensah Mintah