THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has admonished African leaders to learn from the exemplary and selfless nature of Ghana�s former President, John Agyekum Kufuor, to speed up the development of the continent.
He stated that former President Kufuor has, since leaving office, proved that he had a passion for Ghana�s effective growth, and so he deserved commendation.
Otumfuo made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebuo, at a durbar of Asante chiefs held at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi, yesterday.
Former President Kufuor was accompanied to the palace by two former presidents, Horst Kohler of Germany and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa to inform the Asantehene about his (Kufuor�s) new foundation to be situated at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The �John A. Kufuor Foundation� is aimed at imbibing in the youth of Africa, leadership, governance and development skills.
Praising ex-President Kufuor for his vision for coming out with such a great edifice, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated that �Mr. Kufuor, by this project, has proved to the whole world that there is life after presidency.�
The Asantehene noted that Mr. Kufuor�s actions showed that even whilst he was president, he foresaw leaving office one day so he prepared adequately for life after the presidency.
He was of the conviction that if African leaders learnt from the him, then the continent would get rid of civil unrest and strife which usually cropped up due to people�s inordinate ambition to retain power at all costs.Otumfuo again lauded former President Kufuor for setting up a foundation which would tackle leadership, governance and development issues, expressing the hope that the vision of setting up the foundation would come to pass.
The �John A. Kufuor Foundation�, when completed, would be a two storey-building which would boast of facilities like an auditorium for 500 people, a swimming pool, and guest facility for visiting presidents to generate money to maintain the edifice among others.
The complex is being constructed by Angel Construction Limited and it would also boast of an ultra-modern library centre and a museum which would display Mr. Kufuor�s memorabilia whilst he presided over the nation for eight years.
Former President Kufuor said it was his hope that the museum, in particular, would portray to future generations, his tenure as president and the need to respect the rule of law.
Despite the intermittent rains, the durbar was patronized by scores of people including politicians and business executives amidst drumming and dancing.
Former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa showered praises on Mr. Kufuor for his vision of setting up such a great foundation and hoped that the entire continent would visit the center for lessons in good governance, leadership and development.
He also praised Asantes for their boldness to fight European imperialism in the last century, noting that he was happy to be in their midst.
On his part, Horst Kohler, formerly of Germany, lauded Mr. Kufuor for his great vision, noting that he travelled all the way from Germany to lend support for a worthy cause.
He commended the Asantehene for his vision and insightful speeches whenever he addressed a gathering in Germany, noting that he hoped his visit would deepen the relationship between Germany and Ghana.
Source: I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr. & Morgan Owusu, Kumasi
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