4th May 2001

Vol 42 N0 9

Free article preview  

Ghana GHANA

A hundred days of Kufuor

The new government scores high on political tolerance but is struggling over how to tackle the economic mess it inherited

No one can blame President John Agyekum Kufuor for the economic chaos he inherited on 7 January, when he took over from Jerry John Rawlings. However, plenty of Ghanaians blame his government for its slow start. In the first hundred days, he has won high marks for handling the transition and making government more tolerant, low marks for dynamism and economic management. There still is much goodwill towards the President and his New Patriotic Party. He confidently fielded questions when national television broadcast a press conference live from the Castle at Osu - something Rawlings never allowed during his 20-year rule. Journalists are no longer 'enemies of the people'. Kufuor came over as presidential but accessible, in an inquisition managed by his spokesperson, Elizabeth Ohene; she and Attorney General Nana Akufo-Addo want the obnoxious criminal libel laws abrogated this year. Since the NPP is the party of business, it is obviously much warmer towards local entrepreneurs of all political hues. A leading businessman, Kwabena Darko, was in Kufuor's office throughout the press conference....

(This article contains approximately 1935 words)

end of free article preview

Current subscribers: log in now to read the complete article. Misplaced your password? Then click here for a password reminder.

Not a subscriber? Then you can read this article in full either by becoming a subscriber now, for 3, 6 or 12 months, or you can buy this individual article.

  • Subscribe to Africa Confidential:
  • Buy this article:
  • 3-month subscription
    Prices from £205.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    6-month subscription
    Prices from £376.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    12-month subscription
    Prices from £705.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
  • UK & European Union
    £17.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    Rest of the world
    $27.00

  • If you have a print subscription already, click here for a password that gives you full access to the website.
  • If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.

Keywords:

 John Agyekum Kufuor, Jerry John Rawlings, Elizabeth Ohene, Nana Akufo-Addo, Kwabena Darko, Akwasi Afrifa, Kutu Acheampong, Fred Akuffo, Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Busia, Bringing the torturers and assassins to book, South African, Kwesi Pratt, John Atta Mills, Juliet R. Cotton, United States, Kwame Addo Kufuor, Victor Selormey, Finding the right policies, Daniel Kuffuor Osei, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Yaw Osafo-Marfo, Japan, Britain backs debt relief for Ghana, Britain, Kenya, Senegal