Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor has proposed the use of a biometric voting system in the 2012 general elections. Ex-President Kufuor made this suggestion during his 72nd birthday celebration at his residence in an interview with Adom FM's Frimpong Manso Adakabre Wednesday. The ex-president noted that it is time for Africa to adopt a new image in political governance, hence the need to introduce the biometric system to curtail the problems associated with electoral malfeasance. Mr. Kufuor therefore proposed that Ghana leads the way in introducing the process immediately for the 2012 elections in order to bring some sanity into the electoral processes on the continent. Mr. Kufuor averred that the biometric system will ensure that the manipulation of election results and the chaos that arises as a result of cheating will be eliminated from the electoral process and the true will of the people will be upheld. He bemoaned the phenomenon where political parties fight over the right to rule when there are widespread irregularities during elections whilst explaining that the best way to manage the situation is to introduce a transparent and a well tested voting process to strengthen the continent's democratic credentials. He stated that every nation on the continent requires development, but quickly added that development can not thrive in a chaotic environment. He said aside the introduction of a biometric voting system, Africa must start grooming its leaders. He advised that the best way to attract exceptional future leaders is to recruit bright graduates into local government systems to study the rudiments of governance from the grassroots. Mr. Kufuor said, among others, future leaders on the continent should be well prepared to take over the management of their states but they can only do it if they are properly mentored. He said leaders must appreciate the fundamental principles around the economy, the private sector, financial management and monetary systems. He added that such future leaders must be exposed to the essentials of international markets and international relations. The ex-president further stated the need for such leaders to have a working knowledge of the civil service and the role they play in the governance process. He said the local government structure which is a key facet of the decentralization process must be core to the knowledge base of an African leader. Mr. Kufuor went on to propose that these young ones should be encouraged to go trough the rigours of the parliamentary process to complete the grooming cycle adding, lawmaking is a vital aspect of the democratic process and every leader must know how the process works. Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana