The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has called on Ghanaians to cultivate strong and sincere relationships that transcend political and social differences, stressing that unity and national progress depend largely on the quality of bonds among citizens.

According to him, societies thrive when individuals relate to one another with respect, understanding and forgiveness. Mr Debrah made the remarks when he addressed members of the Accra Friendship Club at their Dinner and Awards Night held in Accra on Saturday, March 7.

Speaking on the theme of relationships, he urged members to value human connections and observe moral, social and functional boundaries in their interactions.

“In life, whether in human relations, organisations or in our pursuit of success, there are moral, social and functional boundaries that must be respected,” he said.

“When we build genuine relationships based on respect and affection, they can last a lifetime and shape our future in ways we may never imagine.” He noted that his attendance at the event came after a particularly busy day involving three official engagements.

Mr Debrah also expressed concern about the deepening political divisions between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party, which he said were eroding meaningful relationships among Ghanaians.

To illustrate the importance of long-standing bonds, he recounted his relationship with former President John Agyekum Kufuor, which dates back to his days as a student at Achimota School.

He explained that while he was in sixth form, Mr Kufuor’s son, Kofi Kufuor, was his junior and he served as his “school father”, a role that required him to guide and support the younger student.

“At the time, sixth-form students had cubicles, and when juniors received provisions from their parents, they entrusted them to their school fathers for safekeeping. I was responsible for keeping Kofi Kufuor’s provisions,” he recalled.

Mr Debrah said he never imagined then that Mr Kufuor would eventually become President of Ghana or that he himself would one day serve as Chief of Staff.

He noted that the relationship later led to invitations to spend weekends at the former President’s residence near the Kotoka International Airport area, where he received guidance and encouragement.

“He would ask about my background, my parents and advise me to be a disciplined young man so that I could become a responsible person in the future. Today, the rest, as they say, is history,” he said.

Mr Debrah added that the experience reinforced the importance of relationships built on trust and respect.

He further encouraged members of the club to practise forgiveness in their interactions, noting that holding on to anger and resentment ultimately harms the individual more than anyone else.