Former President John Kufuor in a pose with members of IDU and NPP after the brief meeting at his residence
The International Democratic Union (IDU) has praised former President John Agyekum Kufuor for promoting centre and centre-right political ideology in Ghana.
IDU, which is the working association of over 80 conservative, democrat and like-minded political parties of the centre and centre right, has also honoured the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for adopting centre and centre-right ideology.
It gave the ruling party in Ghana the opportunity to host its first-ever executive meeting in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Executives of IDU and some leading members of the NPP, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Kufuor at his residence in Accra after a two-day IDU executive meeting held in Accra to thank him for championing centre and centre-right ideology.
The visit was also to appeal to the former President to help engage and encourage young politicians in Ghana and across the world to embrace the centre-right philosophy.
Vice Chairman of IDU, Peter Mac Manu, who successfully managed the 2016 campaign of the NPP, in a brief remark, observed that Mr. Kufuor has been influential in helping to shape the destiny of Ghana, NPP and the centre-right ideology.
According to him, the former president played a very crucial role in bringing the NPP back to power in 2016 after winning two elections for the party himself in 2000 and 2004.
He said that when ex-President Kufuor took over the affairs of Ghana in 2001, the country’s economy was in total mess as a result of economic mismanagement by the then ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by former President Jerry John Rawlings.
However, he stated that ex-President Kufuor, upon assuming office, undertook some key initiatives, which helped to bring the country’s economy back on track, increasing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) about 10 times before leaving office.
Mr. Mac Manu told the former President that the IDU as an association would take the security of the masses very seriously.
Mr. Kufuor, on his part, thanked IDU for the honour done him and promised to continuously uphold the centre-right philosophy.
He urged the association not to only focus on security, but look at the issue of human rights and youth unemployment.
He urged centre-right governments around the world to focus on partnering the private sector to help create wealth that can inspire the youth and improve their lives.
According to him, a lot of educated youth in most of the world, especially Africa were becoming disillusioned due to the non-availability of jobs after graduating from school, which he described as “chaotic.”
On the history of the centre-right tradition in Ghana, the ex-President said that it began in 1947 in the then Gold Coast and has since survived the test of time.
About IDU
Formed in 1983, the IDU provides a forum in which parties holding similar beliefs can come together and exchange views on matters of policy and organisational interest, so that they can learn from each other, act together, establish contacts and speak with one strong voice to promote democracy and centre-right policies around the globe.
Founding members of the IDU included Britain’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, US Vice-President George Bush Snr, Paris Mayor and later President of France Jacques Chirac, former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and many other party leaders.
It consists of member parties of the Asia Pacific Democrat Union (APDU), Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU), Democrat Union of Africa, European Democrat Union (EDU), European People’s Party (EPP), Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) and the Union of Latin American Parties (UPLA), which have adhered to the IDU Declaration of Principles.
The IDU fosters the common philosophy of its member parties, establishes permanent relations at a bilateral and multilateral level, encourages mutual support.
By Melvin Tarlue & Edward Emmanuel Lamptey