80th Birthday Of Former President John Agyekum Kufuor

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE CELEBRATION OF THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF FORMER PRESIDENT JOHN AGYEKUM KUFUOR

December 8, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, led a host of prominent Ghanaians to join Former President, John Agyekum Kufuor, in celebrating his 80th birthday at the seat of government, Jubilee House in Accra. American beauty queen, author, actress, businesswoman, model, producer, activist, philanthropist as well as print and television journalist Germany Kent ounce said, “Funny how we do not realise the true value and legacy of a living icon until they suddenly pass away.” Truth is, there are many living legends among us, we just do not stop and take time to notice their worth until it’s too late.” In deed there are a lot of the living in our society today who need to be recognised and appreciated before they pass on. This observation has been expressed by numerous Ghanaians, because more often, society intends to honor and cerebrate the dead than the living. It is said that the celebration and appreciation of the living such as in the case of Former President Kufuor are closely linked to the development of identity and self-esteem as well as encouraging the citizenry.

It is not only necessary and vital to establish and celebrate the heroes and heroines in society, but is also fascinating to note that such celebrations urge people to feel the sense of belonging and relevant in society. Ghanaians must develop and sustain such a tradition of duly appreciating people especially our leaders and achievers, big or small. When this is done and passed on to generations, the young ones will also experience the sense of their history and the need to give their best to society. People live almost all their lives in total commitment to serve the nation on a very higher pedestal.

At times, they live extremely busy lives and days are arranged around long working hours and rigid schedules. Sometimes they live risky lives on behalf of the nation, when this is noticed it is important to take the time to pause, recognize and appreciate them. A word of thank you and gratitude must be said by the nation to people who have spent their lives shaping other lives. This is because, there is no point in praising someone who would not in anyway notice what is being said about him or her. It is therefore better to sing all the praises to the living because the old good book indicates that, “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.”

In the words of President Akufo-Addo at the birthday celebrations, Former President Kufuor is described as the most successful leader of the Dankwa-Busia-Dombo political tradition, on whose foundation the New Patriotic Party stands and his achievements during his time as President, were unmatched and his legacy will forever be remembered. Surely, President Kufuor has left a huge legacy in helping to shape the nation for the better.

It is well noted that in addition to the massive infrastructural development undertaken during his time as President, major social interventions to protect the vulnerable in society bear his signature. This include the National Youth Employment Programme, the School Feeding Programme, Capitation Grant, the National Health Insurance Scheme, Free Maternal Care, introduction of the Metro Mass Transit Transport Service and the introduction of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme under which welfare grants were paid to the extreme poor and vulnerable.

The President and the entire New Patriotic Party need to be commended for celebrating this prominent citizen of the land. It is hoped that other achievers and heroes and heroines such as other living presidents, would also be duly recognised. The country’s Senior Citizens Day, and the National Presidential Awards Day are very good moves to ensure this. In deed President Kufuor is undoubtedly a great Ghanaian President who continues to serve as an astute statesman and still working towards the development of mankind through his foundation, The Kufuor Foundation. His life is worthy of emulation.
His humility, absolute dedication to God, country and the world are exemplary. He has truly played his part to make society a better place than he was born into.

We join the rest of the Ghanaian populace to wish him well in his continues efforts to help address challenges that confront society. We say Ayeekoo, congratulations and well done the gentle giant for your contributions to the development of Ghana and beyond.

BY NANA SIFA TWUM, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT – LONDON- UK