Feature By:- Faith Offoma Klenam
Accra – September 12 2026
The young John Agyekum Kufuor stepped onto foreign soil with a determined mind and an unwavering ambition to pursue law in 1959.
He was admitted into the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn to pursue law, and his brilliance shone effortlessly.
In an extraordinary feat, he completed his legal training in one year and eight months and was called to the London Bar in 1961.
A year later, he was called to the Ghana Bar, and soon after proceeded to Oxford University’s Exeter College, from where he graduated in 1964. Indeed, a journey that marked the rise of one of Ghana’s finest legal and political minds.
His early professional years were equally remarkable. He first served as a Manager and Legal Officer at Ghana Commercial Bank in London before returning home in 1965.
Back in Ghana, he practiced law in the chambers of Victor Owusu alongside Owusu Yaw.
In 1966, he became the Town Clerk of the Kumasi City Council and offered administrative and legal support.
By 1969, Kufuor’s growing influence and insight had led him to national stewardship.
He became a Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Busia administration.
He later served multiple terms as MP for Atwima, becoming one of the most experienced statesmen of the Fourth Republic.
From 2001–2009, he was elected President of the Republic of Ghana. He never forgot lawyers and the judiciary, and his contributions to the legal fraternity shall be discussed in subsequent parts of this message.
He also served as the 5th Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008. His commitment to development extended beyond politics.
In July 2009, he joined the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation’s International Advisory Board, contributing his wisdom to global poverty reduction strategies.
In September 2011, he launched the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation and broke ground for the JAK Centre for Leadership, Governance and Development at the University of Ghana, a legacy project dedicated to nurturing future leaders.
As President of the Republic (2001–2009), Kufuor ushered in transformational eras in Ghana’s legal system.
His vision was clear: a modern judiciary, a more accountable government, and an expanded space for freedom and democratic participation.
He modernized the judicial system through the computerization of courts, refurbishment of judicial infrastructure, and expansion of the Judicial Training Institute.
He introduced the Fast Track High Courts, which were designed to expedite commercial and corruption-related cases.
He assented to various Acts of Parliament that fostered accountability. These include:
- Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663)
- Financial Administration Act, 2003 (Act 654)
- Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658)
- Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720)
Perhaps one of his most celebrated reforms came in August 2001 when President Kufuor assented to the Criminal Code (Repeal of Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws) (Amendment) Act, 2001 (Act 602).
This monumental decision abolished the criminal libel and seditious laws and ended decades of fear and harassment of journalists.
It was a bold and progressive move, one that cemented Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of press freedom in Africa.
The repeal fulfilled Kufuor’s promise to deepen democracy and uphold the freedoms enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
From the lecture halls of Lincoln’s Inn and Exeter College to the presidency and global advisory boards, John Agyekum Kufuor has lived a life defined by service, intellect, and unwavering dedication to the Ghanaian people.
His reforms strengthened legal institutions and the law.
Today, Legal Academy wishes President Kufuor long life and says that generations will continue to draw inspiration from his statesmanship, humility, and commitment to democratic excellence.
By Faith Offoma Klenam.
Admin, Legal Academy.
