Kufuor Scholars launch voter education campaign at graduation ceremony
By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra
Beneficiaries of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation Scholarship Programme have initiated a voter education campaign to raise awareness about the importance of participating in the upcoming elections.
The launch of this campaign coincided with the graduation of 30 scholars who completed three years of mentorship and leadership training.
The campaign is meant to tackle voter apathy, as electoral data from the 2020 elections showed that over three million registered voters did not vote.
The campaign is therefore meant to ensure that more young people take an active interest in Ghana’s electoral politics.
With over 70% of Ghana’s population being young people, the Kufuor Scholars think it necessary to bring more young people along in deciding the short-term leadership direction of the country.
Leadership and civic duty
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, British High Commissioner to Ghana Harriet Thompson emphasized that leadership is not just about holding power but serving others.
She praised the scholars for their voter education initiative, highlighting the significance of elections for both Ghana and its citizens.
“Voting is an exercise that expresses communal connections,” she noted, stressing that every vote is equal and crucial to the democratic process.
Addressing electoral challenges
Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education, criticized the growing monetization of elections in Ghana.
She urged voters to resist the temptation to sell their votes, warning that such actions could lead to the election of unsuitable leaders.
Addy also condemned the ethno-religious politics prevalent in some regions and encouraged young people to vote based on conviction rather than misinformation.
Vision for transformational leadership
Former President John Kufuor, founder of the scholarship programme, encouraged the scholars to strive for societal change.
He explained that the lack of good leadership and governance has contributed to Africa’s underdevelopment.
The Kufuor Scholars Programme aims to scout and groom talented youth into visionary and transformational leaders.
“When we have quality leadership with a sense of responsibility, Africa can overcome the perceptions of underdevelopment and corruption,” Kufuor said.
Programme impact
Since its inception, the Kufuor Scholars Programme has graduated over 200 young leaders.
The foundation recruits first-year university students and mentors them throughout their undergraduate studies, preparing them for leadership roles in various sectors.
The former president expressed deep satisfaction with the programme’s outcomes, highlighting its role in fostering responsible and capable leaders for Africa’s future.
