Presidency of John Kufuor

The presidency of John Kufuor began on 7 January 2001 and ended on 7 January 2009 after he was inaugurated as the 2nd President of the Fourth Republic. Kufuor was a New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate. He won the 2000 Ghanaian general election after defeating National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate John Atta Mills by earning 56.9% of the votes. This marked Ghana's first transition of power through a free and fair election since independence. Kufuor ran for re-election in 2004, winning again against John Atta Mills, and served two full terms.

John Kufuor
Presidency of John Kufuor
7 January 2001 – 7 January 2009
John Agyekum Kufuor
CabinetSee list
PartyNew Patriotic Party
Election
SeatJubilee House

Seal of the President

First election

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Results of both election rounds

The election began on 7 December 2000 with a second round of the presidential election on 28 December.[1] The presidential elections resulted in a victory for John Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), whilst the NPP also won the most seats in the parliamentary elections.

Kufuor had previously run unsuccessfully in the 1996 election, after winning the nomination of the New Patriotic Party (gaining 1034 votes out of the 2000 party delegates).

On 23 October 1998 Kufuor was once again re-nominated by the New Patriotic Party to run for president, while also officially becoming the leader of the party.

Kufuor won the presidential election of December 2000. In the first round of voting, held on 7 December 2000, Kufuor came in first place with 48.4%, while John Atta-Mills, the NDC candidate, came in second with 44.8%. This led to a run-off vote between the two. In the second round, held on 28 December, Kufuor won 56.9% of the vote and emerged victorious. Kufuor was sworn in on 7 January 2001. This was the first democratic changeover of government in the history of Ghana.[2]

Personnel

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Ministers of state (2001–2005)

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There was a cabinet reshuffle on April 1, 2003.[3]

Portfolio Minister Time frame Notes
President John Kufuor Jan 2001 - Jan 2005
Vice President Aliu Mahama Jan 2001 - Jan 2005
Minister for Foreign Affairs Hackman Owusu-Agyeman
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
2001 – Apr 2003[4]
Apr 2003 – 2007[3]
Minister for Interior Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu
Hackman Owusu-Agyeman
2001 – 2002[4][5]
2003 – 2005[3]
Resigned following Yendi conflict
Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Yaw Osafo-Maafo 2001 – 2005[4]
Minister for Defence Kwame Addo-Kufuor[6] 7 Jan 2001 – 6 Aug 2007[4]
Attorney General and Minister for Justice Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Papa Owusu Ankomah
2001 – 2003[4]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Education later
Minister for Education, Youth and Sports
Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi
Kwadwo Baah Wiredu
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Health Richard Winfred Anane
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Food and Agriculture Major Courage Quashigah 2001 – 2005[4]
Minister for Fisheries Ishmael Ashitey 2001 – 2005[8]
Minister for Trade and Industry Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku
Alan Kyeremanteng
2001 – 2003[4]
2003 – 2007[3]
Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu
Kwadwo Adjei Darko
2001 – 2003[4]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Manpower Development and Employment Cecilia Ladze Bannermann
Yaw Barimah
2001 – 2003[8]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Energy Albert Kan Dapaah
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom (CPP)
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Mines Cecilia Ladze Bannermann 2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Lands, Mines and Forestry Dr. Kwaku Afriyie
Prof. Dominic Fobih
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – present[3]
Minister for Works and Housing Kwamena Bartels
Alhaji Mustapha Idris Ali
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Women and Children's Affairs Mrs. Gladys Asmah 2001 – 2005[4]
Minister for Tourism later
Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City
Hawa Yakubu
Jake Obetsebi Lamptey
2001 – May 2002[7][9]
2003 – 2007[3]
Minister for Environment, Science and Technology later
Minister for Science and Environment
Prof. Dominic Kwaku Fobih
Prof. Mike Oquaye
Prof. Kasim Kasanga
2001 – 2003[4]
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Public Sector Reform and National Institutional Renewal Programme Joseph Henry Mensah 2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Presidential Affairs Jake Obetsebi Lamptey 2001 – 2003[7]
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Felix Owusu-Adjapong 2003 – 2007[3]
Minister and Leader of Government Business Joseph Henry Mensah 2001 – 2003[4]
Minister for Roads, Highways later
Minister for Roads, Highways and Transport
Kwadwo Adjei-Darko
Richard Winfred Anane
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – 2006[3][10]
Minister for Ports, Harbours and Railways Prof.Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi 2003 – present[3]
Minister for Regional Co-Operation and NEPAD Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom (CPP)
Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku
? – 2003
2003 – 2006[3][11]
Minister for Transport and Communications Felix Owusu-Adjapong 2001 – 2003[8]
Minister for Communications and Technology Albert Kan Dapaah 2003 – 2006[3]
Minister for Private Sector Development Charles Omar Nyannor
Kwamena Bartels
2001 – 2003[7]
2003 – ?[3]
Minister for Information Jake Obetsebi Lamptey
Nana Akomea
? – 2003
2003 – 2005[3]
Minister for Youth and Sports Alhaji Mallam Issah[12] 2001
Minister of State (media relations) Elizabeth Ohene 2001 – ?[7]
Minister of State for primary, secondary and girl-child education Christine Churcher 2001 – 2005[8]
Regional Ministers
Ashanti Regional Minister Sampson Kwaku Boafo
Brong Ahafo Region Ernest Debrah
Central Region Isaac Edumadze
Eastern Region Dr. S.K. Osafo Mensah
Greater Accra Regional Minister Sheikh I.C. Quaye
Northern Region Prince Imoru Andani
Ben Salifu
2001 – 2002[5]
2002 – ?
Resigned following Yendi conflict
Upper East Region Mohamed Salifu
Upper West Region Mogtari Sahanun
Volta Regional Minister Kwasi Owusu-Yeboah
Western Region Joseph Boahen Aidoo

Ministers of state (2005–2009)

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There was a cabinet reshuffle on 28 April 2006.[11] There was a second cabinet reshuffle to release ministers with presidential ambitions in July 2007.[13]

Portfolio Minister Time frame Notes
President John Kufuor January 2001 – January 2009
Vice President Aliu Mahama January 2001 – January 2009
Minister for Foreign Affairs later
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD[11]
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Akwasi Osei-Agyei
Apr 2003 – Jul 2007[14]
Jul 2007 – January 2009[13]
Minister for Interior Papa Owusu-Ankomah
Albert Kan Dapaah
Kwamena Bartels
Kwame Addo-Kufuor
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – 2008[15]
2008 – January 2009[16]
Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Kwadwo Baah Wiredu
Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei
2005 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Minister for Defence Kwame Addo-Kufuor[14][6]
Albert Kan Dapaah[6]
2001 – 2007
6 Aug 2007 – 6 Jan 2009
Minister for National Security[11] Francis Poku 2006 – January 2009[11] New portfolio
Attorney General and Minister for Justice J. Ayikoi Otoo
Joe Ghartey
Ambrose Dery
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – January 2009[15]
Minister for Health Major Courage Quashigah (rtd) 2005 – January 2009[14]
Minister for Education and Sports later Minister for Education, Science and Sports[11] Yaw Osafo-Maafo
Papa Owusu Ankomah
Dominic Fobi
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – January 2009[15]
Minister for Food and Agriculture Ernest Akubuor Debrah 2005 – January 2009[14]
Minister for Fisheries Gladys Asmah 2005 – January 2009[14]
Minister for Trade and Industry (later)
Minister for Trade and Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative[11]
Alan Kyeremanteng
Joe Baidoo Ansah
Papa Owusu Ankomah
2003 – 2007[14]
2007 – 2008[13]
2008 – January 2009[16]
Minister for Private Sector Development & President's Special Initiative Kwamena Bartels 2005 – 2006[14] Ministry merged with Trade and Industry
Minister for Local Government and Rural Development later Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Environment[11] Charles Bimpong Bintim
Stephen Asamoah-Boateng
Kwadwo Adjei-Darko
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – January 2009[15]
Minister for Information later
Minister for Information and National Orientation[11]
Daniel Kwaku Botwe
Kwamena Bartels
Oboshie Sai-Cofie
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City later
Minister for Tourism and Diasporean Relations[11]
Jake Obetsebi Lamptey
Stephen Asamoah-Boateng
2003 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[15]
Minister for Works and Housing later Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing Hackman Owusu-Agyeman
Boniface Abubakar Saddique
2005 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[15]
Minister for Public Sector Reform Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom (CPP)
Samuel Owusu-Agyei
2005 – 2007[11][17]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Minister for Communication Albert Kan Dapaah
Prof. Mike Oquaye
Dr. Ben Aggrey Ntim
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Minister for Roads and Highways Richard Winfred Anane
vacant
Godfred T. Bonyon
2005 – 2006[18][10]
2006 – 2007
2007 – January 2009[15]
Resigned after adverse findings against him by the CHRAJ.
Minister for Ports, Harbours and Railways Prof.Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi[14] 2001 – January 2009
Minister for Aviation[11] Gloria Akuffo 2006 – January 2009[11] Newly created ministry
Minister for Energy Prof. Mike Oquaye
Joseph Kofi Adda
Felix Owusu-Adjapong
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2008[11]
2008 – January 2009[16]
Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines Prof. Dominic Fobih
Esther Obeng Dapaah
2003 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[15]
Minister for Environment and Science Christine Churcher 2005 – 2006[18][11]
Minister for Regional Co-Operation and NEPAD Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku 2003 – 2006[3][11]
Minister for Women and Children's Affairs Hajia Alima Mahama 2005 – January 2009[14]
Minister for Manpower Development and Employment now
Ministry for Manpower, Youth and Employment
Joseph Kofi Adda
Boniface Abubakar Saddique
Nana Akomea
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – 2007[11]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Minister of State for Culture and Chieftaincy[19] Sampson Kwaku Boafo 2006 – January 2009[19] New portfolio
Minister for Presidential Affairs Kwadwo Mpiani[19] 2005 – January 2009
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Felix Owusu-Adjapong
Abraham Ossei Aidooh[14]
2001 – 2007
2007 – January 2009[15]
Senior Minister Joseph Henry Mensah 2005 – 2006[14][19]
Regional Ministers
Ashanti Regional Minister Sampson Kwaku Boafo
Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – January 2009[19]
Brong Ahafo Region Nana Kwadwo Seinti
Ignatius Baffour Awuah
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – January 2009[19]
Central Region Isaac E. Edumadze
Nana Ato Arthur
2005 – 2006[18]
2006 – January 2009[19]
Eastern Region Yaw Barimah
Kwadwo Afram Asiedu
2005 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Greater Accra Regional Minister Shiekh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye 2005 – January 2009[18]
Northern Region Boniface Abubakar Saddique
Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – January 2009[19]
Upper East Region Boniface Agambila
Alhassan Samari
2005 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Upper West Region Ambrose Dery
George Hikah Benson
2005 – 2007[14]
2007 – January 2009[13]
Volta Regional Minister Kofi Dzamesi 2005 – January 2009[14]
Western Region Joseph Boahen Aidoo
Evans A. Amoah
2005 – 2006[14]
2006 – January 2009[19]

Policy

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The National Reconciliation Commission was formed in 2004 to investigate human rights abuses committed by previous Ghanaian military juntas and unconstitutional governments.

Health

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Kufuor's National Health Insurance Scheme replaced the existent cash-and-carry system.[20] About 11 million Ghanaians were registered under the new scheme. As president, Kufuor was credited for setting up Ghana's National Ambulance Service.

 
The KATH received an Accident and Emergency Centre.

About 205 hospitals and clinics were constructed and renovated during Kufuor's presidency.[21] This included the addition of the Accident and Emergency Centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, which became the largest in Ghana upon completion.[22] Kufuor also introduced free maternal health care in public hospitals.[23]

Education

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Kufuor initiated Ghana's national school feeding programme. He institutionalised the capitation grant for school children at the basic level as each student was entitled to $2 for cultural sports and development. During the Kufuor administration, an additional year was added to the Senior Secondary School curriculum, changing it from three years to four years. It was also renamed Senior High School. He started the model school senior high school initiative to upgrade some deprived schools to the level of some first-class senior high schools.[24]

Infrastructure

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There was a complete renovation of the Accra Sports Stadium and the Baba Yara Stadium as well as the newly built Essipong and Tamale stadium in 2008, in order to enhance Ghana's hosting of the CAN 2008. On 27 February 2004, the president commissioned the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange for traffic.[25]

President Kufuor obtained a record $500 million grant from the US's Millennium Challenge Account for economic development. The fund was anchored on unleashing the entrepreneurial, creative and innovative potential of Ghanaians as a means of creating wealth as well as removing all barriers in the form of social challenges Ghanaians faced. This socio-economic vision included the Five Priority Areas Programme: the pursuit of good governance, modernisation of agriculture for rural development, private sector participation, enhanced social services, and vigorous infrastructural development. The fund also served as the source of finance for the construction of the George Walker Bush Highway.[26]

Re-election

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Election results

Four candidates contested the 2004 Ghanaian general election.

Kufuor was re-elected in presidential and parliamentary elections held on 7 December 2004, earning 52.45% of the popular vote in the first round. This avoided a run-off and resulted in the New Patriotic Party securing more seats in the Parliament of Ghana.[2]

Coinciding parliamentary elections

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Kufuor's New Patriotic Party won 128 seats in parliament, for a governing majority of 26.[27]

Affiliation Members
New Patriotic Party (NPP) 128
National Democratic Congress (NDC) 94
People's National Convention (PNC) 4
Convention People's Party (CPP) 3
Independent 1
Speaker and Deputies (3)
 Total 230
 Government Majority 26

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Elections in Ghana African Elections Database
  2. ^ a b "Elections in Ghana". Africanelections.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Government names new Cabinet". General News of Tuesday, 1 April 2003. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Eleven Ministers Sworn-in". General News of Friday, 2 February 2001. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
  5. ^ a b "Two Ministers Resign Over Yendi Conflict". General News of Friday, 29 March 2002. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 11 May 2007.
  6. ^ a b c "MINISTER FOR DEFENCE". www.mod.gov.gh. Ghana Government. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "President Kufuor swears 10 more ministers". General News of Thursday, 8 February 2001. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d "Kufuor swears in four more ministers". General News of Saturday, 10 February 2001. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
  9. ^ "Hawa Yakubu resigns?". Ghana Review International. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  10. ^ a b "President accepts Anane's resignation". General News of Wednesday, 4 October 2006. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Kufuor restructures ministerial team". General News of Friday, 28 April 2006. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  12. ^ "Mallam Issa in transit, four days after his conviction". General News of Tuesday, 24 July 2001. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 9 June 2007.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Parliament approves nominations of 12 Ministers". Politics. Ghana News Agency. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Twenty-nine Ministers sworn into office". General News of Wednesday, 2 February 2005. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Full list of Ministers and Regional Ministers out". Ghana News Agency. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  16. ^ a b c "Four "New" Ministers sworn into office". General News of Thursday, 12 June 2008. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  17. ^ "Nduom quits government". Press Review of Tuesday, 10 July 2007. Ghana government. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  18. ^ a b c d "Anane, Edumadze, Churcher and Quaye sworn into office". General News of Thursday, 17 February 2005. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i "New Ministerial List: Summary". General News of Saturday, 13 May 2006. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  20. ^ "Health Insurance in Ghana". Ghana Web. Archived from the original on 4 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Presidency". Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  22. ^ Sebastian R. Freiku (9 June 2008). "KATH, Accident, Emergency Centre takes shape". Ghanaian Chronicle. Kumasi: Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  23. ^ "More Pregnant Women Register Under Free Maternal Health Care Programme". Modern Ghana. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Kufuor inaugurates model School at Praso". 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  25. ^ "Tetteh Quarshie Interchange opens to traffic". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  26. ^ Joy News (15 February 2012). "N1 highway named after George Bush". Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  27. ^ https://swap.stanford.edu/20121211163203/http://results.ec.gov.gh/assets/file/2004ParliamentaryDetResults.pdf [bare URL PDF]