Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has issued a compelling call to Ghana’s youth, urging them to engage actively in the upcoming December elections to catalyze the nation’s development and progress.
Speaking at the launch of the Kufuor Scholars Foundation’s voter campaign, aimed at boosting youth participation in the December polls, Kufuor emphasized the crucial role the youth play in shaping the country’s future.
He likened their potential impact to that of king-makers, whose choices can determine the nation’s leadership trajectory.
“Ghana alone has about 30 million citizens, and with your learning and mature brain power throughout our societies, if you would do what you should do as responsible citizens to try to give the nation good leadership, inclusive leadership, then within a few years you will see Ghana turning around to be emulated on the continent of Africa, bettering the lot of humanity,” Kufuor stated.
In the previous 2020 elections, over 17 million Ghanaians registered to vote, yet only 13 million participated. Voter apathy, economic hardship, and misgovernance have been cited as key factors contributing to the lower turnout.
The urgency of the situation has intensified for the upcoming December 7 election, as a survey by the Kufuor Scholars Foundation revealed that 43 percent of every 1,000 Ghanaians surveyed intend not to vote.
Addressing this critical issue, the Kufuor Scholars Programme, in partnership with the National Commission for Civic Education, has launched a voter campaign exercise focused on increasing education and awareness about the importance of voting.
“Having over 70% of the youth population means that you will be unstoppable if you become committed to doing what is right,” Kufuor asserted, highlighting the significant influence the youth can wield in driving positive change.
The launch event saw attendance from several notable figures, including Prof. Agyemang Baffuor Duah, CEO of the JAK Foundation; H.E. Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner to Ghana; Dr. Pascal Brenya, KSP Coordinator; Nana Ama Oppong Duah, Policy Advisor at the JAK Foundation; and Irene Horsham (Esq), Rector of Mountcrest University.