A Conversation with Ghana's Gentle Giant [NFTW #43]

What’s good everyone? I hope we’re all doing well. This week we delve into the conversation I had with Frmr. Pres of Ghana John Kufour as part of a Global Challenges series. We discussed the role of the African Union, negotiating with international partners, the importance of understanding political and economic leverage and finally Africa's contribution to international climate change efforts.

I had the privilege of engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with John Kufuor, the former President of Ghana. As we delved into the profound subject of Africa's trajectory in the 21st century, President Kufuor's astute observations and visionary perspectives illuminated the path forward for the continent.

President Kufuor, a seasoned statesman known for his transformative leadership, emphasised that Africa's potential is immense and untapped. He spoke passionately about the continent's vast resources, cultural diversity, and youthful population as key drivers for progress. While acknowledging the challenges Africa faces, he underscored the need to harness these advantages effectively, both within individual countries and collectively as a united Africa.

The African Union

Drawing from his own experience as the Chairperson of the African Union, President Kufuor emphasised the crucial role of the African Union (AU) as an important institution for the continent. He spoke passionately about the potential and significance of the AU in driving Africa's progress in the 21st century.

President Kufuor highlighted that the AU provides a platform for African nations to come together, discuss common challenges, and collectively work towards solutions. During his tenure as Chairperson, he witnessed firsthand the power of unity and collaboration among African leaders in tackling pressing issues such as conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and regional integration.

One of the key strengths of the AU, President Kufuor noted, is its ability to bring African nations together under a common vision. By fostering a sense of Pan-Africanism and shared responsibility, the AU promotes a collective approach to addressing the continent's most pressing issues. Through dialogue, consensus-building, and policy coordination, the AU plays a vital role in shaping Africa's trajectory.

President Kufuor also highlighted the AU's role in promoting good governance, democracy, and human rights across the continent. By establishing frameworks and institutions to uphold these values, the AU aims to create an environment conducive to sustainable development and prosperity. President Kufuor stressed that accountable governance is not just a national matter but a pan-African imperative, and the AU plays a pivotal role in facilitating this.

Negotiating with International Partners

Recognizing the interconnectedness of today's world, President Kufuor emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaboration both within Africa and with the international community. He advocated for African countries to work together, pooling their resources and expertise to address common challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

In our conversation, President Kufuor highlighted the crucial need for Africans to enhance their negotiation skills when engaging with international partners. He acknowledged that Africa has often been on the receiving end of unfavourable terms in trade agreements, investment deals, and international aid. During COP 21, President Kufuor was one of the two Special Envoys on Climate Change for the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. The other was Jens Stoltenberg, former Prime minister of Norway. The two were assigned to assist in engaging Heads of State and governments around the world to mobilise political will and action on climate change.

President Kufuor stressed the importance of African nations building strong negotiating capacities to ensure fair and balanced agreements. He emphasised the significance of conducting thorough research, understanding the value of African resources and markets, and leveraging this knowledge during negotiations.

Furthermore, President Kufuor highlighted the need for unity among African nations when dealing with international partners. By speaking with one voice and presenting a unified front, Africa can wield greater influence and secure more favorable outcomes.

Africa's Contribution to Climate Change Efforts

President Kufuor stressed that while Africa contributes relatively less to global greenhouse gas emissions, it disproportionately bears the brunt of climate change impacts. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events pose significant threats to Africa's ecosystems, agriculture, water resources, and vulnerable communities.

Despite these challenges, President Kufuor emphasised that Africa has a unique opportunity to lead by example and make significant contributions to global climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. He acknowledged the immense potential of Africa's natural resources, renewable energy sources, and innovative solutions that can drive sustainable development while combating climate change.

Moreover, President Kufuor stressed the need for international collaboration and support to enable Africa's climate change efforts. He stressed the importance of fair and equitable access to climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives. By strengthening partnerships with the international community, African nations can enhance their ability to implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies effectively.

President Kufuor's emphasis on Africa's role in climate change efforts serves as a reminder that addressing this global challenge requires collective action and the inclusion of all nations. By embracing sustainable practices and working collaboratively, Africa can pave the way towards a more resilient and sustainable future for itself and the world at large.

Final Thoughts

My personal highlight from the conversation with President Kufuor was when we discussed his commitment to democracy. He discussed his commitment to politics through the fact that he became a Member of Parliament at thirty and was on an upward trajectory to the highest echelons of power in Ghana before the military coup which interrupted civilian governments in Ghana for the better part of thirty years. He spoke about the patience that was necessary to stay committed to the vision of bringing positive change through participation in Ghanian politics as he would become President of Ghana some thirty years after formally entering politics. A strong reminder for all of us to keep our respective vision in sight at

In the Q and A—one of the students in the audience, who was of Ghanaian heritage, mentioned that she had told her parents beforehand that she would be attending this talk. Her parents were staunch supporters of the National Democratic Congress Party in Ghana (opposition to the New Patriotic Party—the party President Kufuor belonged to). They asked her to send their regards to the man they called the Gentle Giant because regardless of their differences in political leanings they recognised that he was a good man that had the best interests for Ghana.

As I glanced at President Kufuor I could see he was proud of that. He would mention in a later point that he was thankful for her parent’s greetings because it reminded him of the reason he entered formal politics in the first place. To uphold the sanctity of the individual. For President Kufuor every single person if of immense importance and matters deeply. An important reminder for us all.

Until next week. Peace.