Former President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana has shared his personal story of perseverance and resilience in the face of political setbacks, including 15 months in Ussher Fort Prison after the 1972 coup. In an interview with MyJoyOnline aired on Joy News' PM Express on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, Kufuor revealed that his early political career was cut short by the military coup that toppled Ghana's Second Republic. He was arrested and detained alongside fellow parliamentarians and ministers from that government.
Kufuor's imprisonment and the decades of upheaval that followed deepened his understanding of leadership and national governance. He described the period under successive military regimes as one where "things really were not working," pointing to a pervasive "culture of silence" that gagged citizens and discouraged open political discourse. This experience shaped his approach to governing Ghana when he finally took the presidential oath at age 62. Kufuor entered active politics in his twenties but had to wait four decades before becoming president.
Even after Ghana returned to constitutional rule under the 1992 Constitution, which restored multi-party democracy and ushered in the Fourth Republic, the structural and economic problems built up over the preceding decades did not simply disappear. Many Ghanaians remained disillusioned after years of hardship. It was not until the 2000 elections that Kufuor secured a presidential mandate, taking the oath of office in January 2001. His long and difficult journey directly shaped the approach he brought to governing Ghana.
According to Kufuor, the 40-year gap between entering politics in his twenties and becoming president at 62 was the crucible that shaped his governing philosophy. He was determined to lead a government that would make their nation get the practical experience of what could be other than what the nation had become used to for a whole period of about 40 years. This experience informed his vision for Ghana's development and his commitment to good governance.
Kufuor's account offers Ghanaians a rare, personal window into the sacrifices endured by members of the political class who lived through the country's coup-ridden decades before the Fourth Republic took hold. His reflections come as he continues to speak publicly on governance standards expected of Ghana's leaders. Earlier, he remarked that governments that engage in vote-buying "betray" Ghanaians.
The interview forms part of an ongoing series of reflections by the former president on Joy News' PM Express. Kufuor's story serves as a reminder of the challenges Ghana faced in its transition to democracy and the importance of leadership in shaping the country's future. His experience and insights continue to be relevant in Ghana's ongoing efforts to consolidate democracy and promote good governance.
Kufuor's reflections on his 40-year journey provide valuable lessons for Ghana's current and future leaders. His commitment to good governance and his determination to lead a government that would make a positive impact on the nation serve as an inspiration to many. As Ghana continues to navigate its development challenges, Kufuor's story serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
Key points
- Former President John Agyekum Kufuor's 40-year journey from coup prisoner to president shaped his governance agenda.
- Kufuor's experience informs his vision for Ghana's development and commitment to good governance.
- His reflections offer valuable lessons for Ghana's current and future leaders on leadership and good governance.
