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Between Faith and History: A Biography of J.A. Kufuor
This biography of President John Agyekum Kufuor traces his journey and rise to power in 2000 as the first democratically elected president for the conservative New Patriotic Party (NPP) in nearly 40 years and examines his aspirations and contributions to restoring democracy and continuing Ghana’s development history. This book is an important addition to Ghana’s political literature and Africa’s political and economic history.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 21, 2024
As a kid who witnessed but did not understand the tensions surrounding the historic 2000 elections and the burden of expectations Kufour had to bear as President of Ghana heading into the 21st century, I found this book refreshing. It is a treasure trove of leadership lessons and an artful rendition of the tenure of probably the most loved Ghanaian president of that country's 4th republic. Right up there among the best biographies I've ever read. Absolutely recommend.
March 13, 2016
Ghana is one of Africa's most hopeful countries, in large part because of its vibrant democracy. Two large and active political parties have competed to form the government for the last 25 years, with power alternating between them and checks on governmental abuse operating aggressively in the context of this competition. Media and civil society groups have also emerged powerfully as well as independent electoral and judicial bodies.
This excellent book helps explain these positive developments, as well as representing a sign of why Ghana works so well. Ivor Agyeman-Duah has written a quite balanced biography of the President elected in 2000 and 2004 (representing one of the parties) who succeeded a retiring President from the other party (Jerry Rawlings) and then passed power to another President from the opposition after his two terms were finished. But this is not just a biography; the author also provides a vivid picture of the ongoing operation of a democratic society, with an assertive Parliament challenging the Presidency, and energetic civil societies and media personalities who continually influenced how J.A. Kufour acted; he also gives a probing analysis of Ghanaian foreign policy and social policy questions (such as education.) Overall, the book is an extraordinarily good review of a complex political economy, seen from the perspective of the Presidency but also analyzed at arms length.
I worked with the Ghana Parliament during much of the period on which this book concentrates, directing a support project for the Finance and Public Accounts committees, funded by the Canadian government (with ancillary financing from time to time from other sources.) So the book is full of references to old friends and colleagues from that time (J.H. Mensah, Charles Mensa, Grace Coleman, Hawa Yakubu, Moses Asaga, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu and many more.) But it is also a book that provides me with many fresh insights into the period.
I was especially struck by the deep understanding presented of the factional infighting within President Kufour's National Patriotic Party. The NPP draws especially on the large Ashanti community in Ghana, and I had always thought that this should encourage considerable party unity. But the author shows the powerful historical roots of different groupings in the party, based on divisions long in the past. This is an important insight for contemporary Ghana where deep conflict within the NPP is still taking place, despite the potential vulnerability of the present governing party (the National Democratic Congress or NDC) because of decreasing oil prices affecting the economy.
Kufour was able to navigate these divisions successfully both before and after his election as President, though as the author shows this sometimes handicapped him in his policy-making. Agyeman-Duah is also honest in his description of the corruption question that challenged Kufour's reputation; his son took ownership of a large hotel with government funding, and this became a symbol of a President who preached strict probity yet permitted family enrichment.
Still, this is a strongly positive perspective on President Kufour. Not so much based on his domestic policy where civil service weaknesses and external economic pressures limited what was accomplished, but Kufour is seen as building a strong foreign policy profile for Ghana and contributing significantly to African peace-making and the establishment of a self-critical system of reviewing African governments and their operations, using independent African expertise drawn from civil society and other nations. The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was one of the great achievements of that period.
Overall, then, this is an insightful and well-written book about one African government and its practice under a particular President. There are few such thoughtful assessments available, and Agyeman-Duah deserves high praise for his work. President Kufour's period in power had its weaknesses as well as its strengths, and this book helps us understand both.
This excellent book helps explain these positive developments, as well as representing a sign of why Ghana works so well. Ivor Agyeman-Duah has written a quite balanced biography of the President elected in 2000 and 2004 (representing one of the parties) who succeeded a retiring President from the other party (Jerry Rawlings) and then passed power to another President from the opposition after his two terms were finished. But this is not just a biography; the author also provides a vivid picture of the ongoing operation of a democratic society, with an assertive Parliament challenging the Presidency, and energetic civil societies and media personalities who continually influenced how J.A. Kufour acted; he also gives a probing analysis of Ghanaian foreign policy and social policy questions (such as education.) Overall, the book is an extraordinarily good review of a complex political economy, seen from the perspective of the Presidency but also analyzed at arms length.
I worked with the Ghana Parliament during much of the period on which this book concentrates, directing a support project for the Finance and Public Accounts committees, funded by the Canadian government (with ancillary financing from time to time from other sources.) So the book is full of references to old friends and colleagues from that time (J.H. Mensah, Charles Mensa, Grace Coleman, Hawa Yakubu, Moses Asaga, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu and many more.) But it is also a book that provides me with many fresh insights into the period.
I was especially struck by the deep understanding presented of the factional infighting within President Kufour's National Patriotic Party. The NPP draws especially on the large Ashanti community in Ghana, and I had always thought that this should encourage considerable party unity. But the author shows the powerful historical roots of different groupings in the party, based on divisions long in the past. This is an important insight for contemporary Ghana where deep conflict within the NPP is still taking place, despite the potential vulnerability of the present governing party (the National Democratic Congress or NDC) because of decreasing oil prices affecting the economy.
Kufour was able to navigate these divisions successfully both before and after his election as President, though as the author shows this sometimes handicapped him in his policy-making. Agyeman-Duah is also honest in his description of the corruption question that challenged Kufour's reputation; his son took ownership of a large hotel with government funding, and this became a symbol of a President who preached strict probity yet permitted family enrichment.
Still, this is a strongly positive perspective on President Kufour. Not so much based on his domestic policy where civil service weaknesses and external economic pressures limited what was accomplished, but Kufour is seen as building a strong foreign policy profile for Ghana and contributing significantly to African peace-making and the establishment of a self-critical system of reviewing African governments and their operations, using independent African expertise drawn from civil society and other nations. The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was one of the great achievements of that period.
Overall, then, this is an insightful and well-written book about one African government and its practice under a particular President. There are few such thoughtful assessments available, and Agyeman-Duah deserves high praise for his work. President Kufour's period in power had its weaknesses as well as its strengths, and this book helps us understand both.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews