Kufuor wants Ghana’s mineral wealth to translate into better living conditions

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says Ghana’s natural resources must translate into quality education, good healthcare and social protection for vulnerable citizens.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he said the country had the resources and human potential to build a prosperous society but needed effective leadership to ensure that the benefits reached all citizens.

He was responding to a question about the kind of Ghana he hopes young people will inherit in the next 50 years.

Mr Kufuor identified education as a key pillar of his vision, insisting that every child should have access to high-quality learning opportunities.

“We must ensure that all the children of this land are given some of the finest education you can get anywhere,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of healthcare and social protection, arguing that no Ghanaian should be left to suffer extreme poverty in a country endowed with abundant natural resources.

“We must have the safety net, so even people handicapped without jobs, we don’t live in abject poverty because the land is good,” he added.

Ghana is endowed with resources including gold, lithium, bauxite and manganese. However, Mr Kufuor said the country's leadership must ensure that these resources contribute meaningfully to improving living conditions.

He expressed confidence in the abilities of Ghanaians, noting their capacity to acquire knowledge, coexist peacefully and distinguish themselves internationally.

According to him, inclusive governance is essential to transforming the country's natural and human resources into lasting prosperity.

Mr Kufuor's vision places the responsibility on leaders to ensure that national development goes beyond economic growth and delivers tangible improvements in education, healthcare and social welfare.

He maintained that Ghana's future prosperity would depend largely on how effectively its resources are managed for the benefit of its people.