His Last Parade: Kufuor, The Man Who Uplifted His Nation

At the Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday March 6 2008 reviewed the parade that will be regarded as his final Independence Day Anniversary celebration as Commander-in-Chief and CEO of the nation of Ghana. The gravity of the moment and its historical significance did not escape the President as he acknowledged to the throng that had assembled for the parade the feelings that were swelling inside him: “It is with some emotion that I review this parade for the last time as Head of State and Government,” said President Kufuor. He continued, "Next year, God willing, I shall be watching the proceedings from the stands. Though I am moved, I should say nonetheless, that I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this nation as President for two consecutive terms … by the grace of God and by the wishes of the people, who exercised their right of choice given to them by the Constitution." Thus, the man who came to power in 2001 on his second attempt, and after tough fought publicly held elections, gave the signal that he would depart at the end of the year. He would not hang around to drag the country down. He would give others a chance to rule. As he expressed his gratitude to God and his country, some wondered whether he understood that his country, in return, owed him some gratitude too. For, never, in the history of Ghana had there been such a peaceful and prosperous period under a chief executive. Those who are yet to measure the man’s stature must simply do this: Look at the entire African landscape and compare him to those who have made mad rush for power – killing and maiming their way to rule only to arrive at the naked moment of truth that they had no understanding of what it took to govern a people. Then compare them to this quiet man, not given to bombastic statements, yet quietly on the move, fixing and turning things, just so he could endow his people with enough self-esteem to last generations and then some. This is the stature of the man who at the end of this year will depart as Ghana’s president. Kufuor cannot be described as the father of the nation only because history has denied him that opportunity by the simple dictates of the date of his birth. Otherwise, he would have done well in that role too. And should history decide to cast a modern version after 1966, he certainly would be the only candidate. But as a young man who grew up in the shadows of the founding fathers, he certainly learned his lessons well, took from all sides of Ghana’s political tradition and never discarded a good idea because it came from the other side. He is the man who can be comfortable and proud of the achievements of Nkrumah, yet proclaim that he belongs to the Danquah-Busiah tradition. The result is a benefit for modern Ghana – an ultra dimension of fame, and fortune for his country Ghana. Tall, regal, and quiet, you could not help noticing while in his presence that Kufuor is a man who was born to rule. Yet, despite this amazing charismatic presence, he has good grasp of his limits as a ruler – always the first to acknowledge that the rule of law surpasses the whim of the individual – even that of a president with the stature and excellent reputation such as his. For the years to come, Kufuor’s behavior and performance as president will be among the foremost standards by which African leaders are measured. Constitutionally elected as president, peacefully without a bullet shot, Kufuor is about to end his term according to the dictates of the same constitution that brought him to power. Chances are that, even in retirement, he would set new standards for the proper behavior of an ex president. Kufuor certainly will be remembered as the man who gave Ghana a real chance for peace, and prosperity; the man with the Midas touch who has established for Ghana reservoirs of goodwill while building a strong bridge for good governance. As Kufuor stood on the parade ground on the morning of March 6, 2008, some 51 years after independence, the future of Ghana still played on his mind - the military marches and the Air Force flights overhead being things and dressings of the moment. For President Kufuor, it was important that his fellow citizens “not dwell on the losses” brought to them by past military coups; and the events “that disrupted the forward march of democratic governance for the country.” Rather, they should take from these calamities the lessons that only history could provide in order to help build a good future for the country. The hope is what comes after President Kufor may not be too different.