July 27, 2024

An activist of the governing  New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwasi Korang has urged the party to honour former President John Agyekum Kufour while he is alive for his outstanding contribution to the party, saying he deserved to be recognized.

Popularly known as K.K, the NPP stalwart is arguing that under the leadership of former President Kufour, several social interventions were introduced and implemented for the benefit of Ghanaians.

Read the proposal to the party…..

Post Office Box KN 3818

Accra-Ghana

6th November 2019.

The National Council

New Patriotic Party

National Headquarters

Accra-Ghana

Dear Council,

PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY TO INSTITUTE AN EVENT IN HONOUR OF FORMER PRESIDENT JOHN AGYEKUM KUFFOUR DURING HIS LIFETIME

I write for the consideration by the National Council of New Patriotic Party (NPP), to institute an event in honour of the former President of the Republic Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour, who served as the second President of the Fourth Republic from 7th January 2001 to 6th January 2009.

I have carefully thought of this subject and firmly believe it would not be out of place for the party to institute a befitting honour for the former President whiles he is alive. By honoring him now, we would break away from the tradition of espousing the virtues of people who have impacted positively on their societies but would not have the full benefit of all the praises and acknowledgements during their lifetime.

Now to the gravamen of my call for the institution of an event to honour Mr. Kuffour, as the Second President of the Fourth Republic, Mr. Kuffour has a lot of significance for the Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition which came into existence following the passage of the Avoidance of Discrimination Act in December 1957, where all the opposition parties came together to form the UP Tradition under the leadership of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia. The first president produced by this tradition was Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia in 1969. That was fifteen (15) years after the formation of the UP Tradition.

After the overthrow of Busia in 1972, our tradition’s attempt to win the 1979 election was not successful. Similar attempts at the 1992 and 1996 general elections were equally unsuccessful, bringing our stay in the wilderness to twenty-nine (29) years. It finally took Mr. Kuffour to deliver the party to the promise land in the 2000 general election.

As the second most successful leader for the tradition setting the pace for our electoral victory in 2016 and beyond, the party owes him tons of gratitude which should be an annual event precisely 8th December, which is his birthday, should be set aside and celebrated by the party at a colourful ceremony amid colour, pomp and pageantry, to honour this illustrious member of our tradition.

Under his leadership, several social interventions were introduced and implemented for the benefit of Ghanaians.

Among them were, at the time the NPP came into office   in 2001 Ghana’s international ranking had sunk so low that it was classified as Heavily Indebted Poor Country [HIPC], national reserves stood at only 2.33 million, GDP was 4 billion which grew at lowly 3.7 per year. There was no National Health Insurance Scheme, no School Feeding Program, no Free School Busing for school pupils and the aged. No free school fees for pupils from K.G to J.H.S level. Inflation stood at a high of 40.5% and interest rate   was hitting the 50th mark just to mention a few. By the time Mr. Kuffour was leaving office in 2009, Ghana had graduated from IMF over side shape to borrow from the-Eurobond Market where its share value of 750 million Dollars was oversubscribed by more than three times. National Reserves had risen to 2.6 billion Dollars; GDP   shot to over 44 billion dollars and was growing at 8.4%.  The National Health Insurance Scheme and free maternal care were running smoothly and efficiently. A pilot scheme to give at least one hot meal a day to school children from four years to fourteen years was   progressing well. Of course, inflation stood at 18% and interest rate had dropped   to 23%. He was the first leader who willingly submitted himself to be peer reviewed by his colleague African Leaders. His legacy can go on and on and on.

Looking at these great achievements by an African Leader, who has not been hauled before any court for infraction under his tenure at home, in the international community he has not misconducted himself but serves as inspiration to many young politicians.

It is in the light of the above that I call on the party to institute an event to honour him for how far he has brought the party and the country at large.

I am hopeful the leadership of the party would soberly reflect on this write up and appreciate my genuine concern to honour former President John Agyekum Kuffour to give meaning to selfless and dedicated leadership to inspire the future leaders of the party to emulate the shining examples he bestowed on the party.

Yours sincerely,

Kwasi Korang (K.K)

0244127387

Cc:

  1. The National Executive Committee.
  2. The National Council of Elders.
  3. Former President, Mr. J. A. Kuffour

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