Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for a Ghanaian economy that gives individuals the freedom to build wealth while ensuring the benefits of national prosperity translate into quality education, good healthcare and protection against extreme poverty.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, he said Ghana’s traditionally open-minded outlook must be reflected in governance that empowers citizens to turn their talents and resources into wealth.
“We tend to be open-minded and liberal, but that’s not how we’ve lived so far,” he said.
Kufuor was responding to a question about his vision for Ghana over the next 50 years and the future he hopes the country will secure for its younger generation.
He identified good leadership and inclusive governance as essential to achieving that vision, arguing that Ghana possesses both the natural resources and human capital needed to build a prosperous society.
However, he said leaders must create an environment in which individual initiative and entrepreneurship can flourish rather than be constrained by excessive taxation.
“We shouldn’t stifle initiative with excessive taxation,” he stated.
The former president advocated a system that allows people to build legitimate wealth, pay reasonable taxes and enjoy the rewards of their efforts, with the state providing the necessary conditions for businesses to grow.
“If we do that, allow the private sector to mature, to attract investments, both from within and from outside, the people are happy when they come here,” he said.
Education and social protection
Beyond economic growth, Kufuor stressed the importance of ensuring that national wealth improves living conditions for all Ghanaians.
He identified education as a key priority, calling for every child in the country to have access to high-quality learning opportunities.
“We must ensure that all the children of this land are given some of the finest education you can get anywhere,” he said.
He also called for accessible healthcare and a stronger social safety net to protect persons with disabilities and the unemployed from falling into extreme poverty.
According to him, the goal should be to create enough wealth to finance social interventions while allowing the private sector to develop and contribute to the economy.
Ghana’s untapped potential
Kufuor pointed to Ghana’s natural resources, including gold, lithium, bauxite and manganese, as evidence of the country’s economic potential.
He also highlighted the abilities and character of Ghanaians, describing them as people who interact, intermarry and cooperate despite their differences.
He said Ghanaians had demonstrated their capacity to learn and distinguish themselves internationally, adding that the country must find ways to translate these strengths into prosperity at home.
For the former president, Ghana’s future depends on leadership that combines economic freedom with social responsibility—creating room for enterprise and investment while ensuring that the resulting wealth helps citizens access quality education, healthcare and a decent standard of living.
