Former president John Agyekum Kufuor has called on Ghana to strengthen its educational systems and institutions as the country navigates complex political and economic challenges.
In a speech delivered on his behalf during an Independence Day webinar organised by the Ghana Studies Association, Kufuor said uncertainty has always been part of Ghana’s national journey and should not be viewed as a new phenomenon.
“The phrase ‘Ghana in uncertain times’ resonates deeply,” he said. “But Ghana has always lived with uncertainty.”
According to the former president, the key question facing the country is not the presence of uncertainty but how willing the nation is to make bold decisions that address structural weaknesses.
Kufuor pointed to several challenges confronting the country, including a rapidly growing youth population, pressure on democratic systems to deliver quick results, and weaknesses in the national development model.
Reflecting on his time in office, he said the resilience of a nation ultimately depends on the strength of its human capital.
“You cannot stabilise an economy if teachers go unpaid. You cannot attract investment if children arrive at school too hungry to concentrate,” he said.
He also stressed that universities must produce graduates capable of innovation rather than simply reproducing outdated knowledge.
“You cannot expect creative solutions to complex problems if your universities produce graduates trained only to reproduce what others have already outgrown,” he said.
Kufuor highlighted the importance of scholarship in shaping governance, noting that many of Ghana’s early political leaders were intellectuals whose policies were informed by rigorous thinking.
“Governance without knowledge is a gamble,” he said.
He urged scholars to continue contributing research and ideas that strengthen democratic institutions and guide policy decisions.
Source: asaaseradio.com
