John Kufuor defends Busia legacy and urges protection of Ghana’s democracy

Former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for the protection of democratic institutions, warning political actors that electoral victories do not grant ownership of the state. Speaking at the 2026 Busia Institute Lecture in London, Kufuor emphasized that Parliament, the judiciary, the media, and other independent constitutional bodies must be safeguarded to ensure accountability and prevent the abuse of power.

During the lecture, which focused on centre-right political thought in Africa, Kufuor also defended the legacy of Ghana’s former Prime Minister, Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia. He argued that Busia has been treated unfairly in the nation’s political history, noting that many of his most criticized decisions were made in an effort to stabilize the young nation.

Kufuor described Busia as a selfless mentor and noted that the political tradition founded by Busia, later represented by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was kept out of power for nearly three decades following the 1972 overthrow of his government. The event in London included a documentary screening and a photographic exhibition dedicated to Busia’s historical contributions to Ghana.