Ex-president John Kufuor says it is gratifying to have ex-president John Rawlings take part in the historic 'John Kufuor Foundation for Leadership, Governance and Development' project at the University of Ghana, Legon. He said the presence of one of his fiercest critics is a testament of how the foundation is determined to be non-partisan. Mr. Rawlings was part of an array of dignitaries - local and foreign - who were present at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana for the inaugural lecture of the John Kufuor Foundation. The enigmatic ex-president was welcomed with loud cheers by a partisan New Patriotic Party congregation and a cross section of students of the University of Ghana. The New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, was also present at the ceremony, to perhaps, continue his listening campaign, this time not with Ghanaian voters but the ex-president of the Republic of Germany, H.E. Horst Kohler. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kufuor said the presence of three ex-African presidents who handed over power peacefully is a loud demonstration that Africa is making progress. “Not too long ago the impression was that political leaders in Africa had the penchant of clinging on to power and refusing to leave the stage when their time was up. On the stage here this evening, there are four of us former presidents and I believe this will show that indeed Africa is making progress and should demonstrate that there can be productive life after the State House. “…I am happy to see you my predecessor in office, former president Jerry John Rawlings,” Mr Kufuor said to loud cheers and applause from the crowd. The programme was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ernest Aryeetey and also had the ex-president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki and newly elected chairman of the Convention People’s Party, Samia Nkrumah, also attending.