Four score and 7 years ago, a child was born. He has been very consequential to Ghana, Africa and the world.

I read biographies a lot so even though I had interacted with President Kufuor quite a bit, I looked for a biography. From that, I learned that he had been an exceptional student at Prempeh College, where according to his biography, he picked up virtually every prize in sight.

After returning to Ghana after his education in UK, he joined politics at a young age. He served under Busia and Rawlings but his masterpiece, on the way to the Presidency, was his 1996 campaign, repeated in 1998.

He was under-resourced but he made up for his lack of resources with hard work and personal relations.

Indeed, it was Northerners who propelled him to victory in his primary campaigns. In 2007, during my ill-fated campaign, in home after home in the north, they showed me the beds or cots he slept on and recounted stories of midnight knocks on doors by Kufuor.

As President, he was humble and inclusive. A humble Ashanti! As he once said, "Every party has factions and leaders must accommodate them".

Wherever he went as President, doors opened, to him and for Ghana. And he strengthened institutions with good quality appointments. But his finest season may have been in his post-presidency.

He has been dignified, statesmanlike-- maybe a tad too quiet, formed a foundation and helped to establish APIMI. As he explained last September at a forum, public interest digital media combined with AI will bring Africa to the centre of global development.

Together with President Mahama, the Oldman will help give us and the youth the tools to keep Ghana as the gateway to Africa through this century.

Mr President, as they sing "Di wo hene" and you twirl around a bit, remember our last conversation and speak out more. And if Delay proposes, turn her down!

May God bless you with many more years of joy and health. Happy birthday!          

Arthur Kobina Kennedy ( December 8th, 2025)