Presidency

Education:
• MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), University of Oxford

Political career:
• President of Ghana 2001- 2008
• Chairman ECOWAS (2003)
• President African Union (2007-2008)

Notable Activities:
• First African President to accede himself and his government to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in 2003
• Spearheaded the Liberian peace process by hosting an initial meeting of the major actors in the Liberian civil crisis

International accolades:
• Chatham House Prize (2008)
• Distinction of Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the  Republic of Liberia. (2008)
• World Federation of Honorary Consuls’ Order of the Gold Star (2008)
• Honorary Fellow, Exeter College, Oxford University, and John Moore University, Liverpool, UK
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
• Knight Commander of the Order of Bath of the UK, conferred by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
• Awarded highest award of the Order of the House of Orange, conferred by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands auspice
• Awarded State Honors from various countries including Italy, Germany and Brazil
• Distinction of Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the  Republic of Liberia.(2008)

Source: Office of President John Kufuor

• Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population)- 39.5 in 1999 and 28.5 in 2006
• Percentage of population with access to water increased from 72 to 80%
• Fixed line and mobile phone access increased from 1.17 persons to 34 persons per 100 people
  
• Number of health workers doubled over 7-year period
• Comprehensive health care for 6 million children and free medical care for pregnant women
  
• The primary school enrollment ratio from 2000 to 2005 for boys was 90%, for girls at 87%.
• The attendance ratio for the same period was above 60% for both groups

• Launched the Microfinance and small loans program (MASLOC)- a US$50million fund that makes micro loans available to the productive population
• Introduction of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Program (LEAP) which provides direct cash transfers to poor households

• Registered 11 million people under the National Health Insurance Scheme
• Set up a National Ambulance Service
• Constructed 205 hospitals and health clinics

• Capitation Grant for school children; Government provides about US$2 per child for cultural, sports and development fees
• Introduced a School Feeding Program (SFP); 500,000 children currently being fed in 10 regions