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Kufuor Scholars Program graduates its Pioneer set

Kufuor Scholars Program graduates its Pioneer set

The pioneer set of Kufuor Scholars’ Program (KSP)of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation (JAK Foundation) were Monday inducted as KSP Alumni, during the Graduation/passing out ceremony which took place Monday at the Foundation headquarters.

The Program which saw in attendance the Chairman of the Foundation, H.E. John A. Kufuor, C.E.O of the Foundation Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, the former Chief Justice of the country, Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, Bishop Charles Agyinasare, friends and well wishers of the foundation, family and friends of the graduating scholars and the press.

Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah gave a hearty welcome, this was followed by an introduction and overview of the Class of 2018, a solemn and reflective rendition of the KSP Anthem led by 2018 inductee, Benjamin Nti Mensah, then presentation of Certificate and medals by the Chairman of the Foundation. The Class of 2018 accepted this honour through their representative, Selorm Martin-Attopley.

KSP scholars came together for a hearty and roaring performance of the KSP song, led by Judith-Elissa Agyenim-Boateng.

In her Keynote Address, Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, commended the foundation,facilitators and mentors, family and friends of the graduating class for their tremendous support, she gave special thanks to the Chairman of thee foundation for the initiative. She appreciated his quest to invest and develop young people instead of building edifices in his name. She further commended the C.E.O and staff of the foundation for their tireless effort in ensuring that the aim of the foundation is successfully met.

To the graduating class, she implored them to continue with the virtues that have been instilled and inbuilt in them. She said that the world looks to them as future leaders to have the personality of those who inspire motivate and lead the world for peace and human progress. She further admonished them to have integrity and the qualities of integrity;  honesty, truthfulness, reliability and honour. In her words, “a successful leader must have integrity.”

She encouraged them to imagine, dream and work to make the world a better place for all, especially with the current state of our world nationally and globally.“I know you will be tempted to imagine the world out there. It is really not  a bad idea to contemplate and imagine the world. Our world is full of injustices at both the national and global levels. Those who have do not share easily and even if they do, they either consciously or subconsciously deepen the plight of those who receive. Waves of migration are leading to renewed isolationism and racism in the world. Despite the best efforts to the United Nations, poverty persists and conflicts and violence continue to decimate many across the globe. Our jubilation of the democratic wave of the 1990s is beginning to give way to despair and pessimism, especially when material dividends of democracy continue to be illusive. intolerance and authoritarianism are on the rise. our world seems to be getting hotter and less hospitable.”

She quoted the late Mr Kofi Atta Annan’s observation and caution in the April 18, 2018, “the world is messy and lacking strong leaders, cool heads and sober judgements must prevail,” explaining, she told the class of 2018 that, “A strong leader is not one who knocks heads, but the one possessing those worthy  virtues and principles that make the world a peaceful and better place for all.”

Rachael Naa Adjeley Raphason Dominate, popularly called “Rapturous Raphason” gave a rousing performance in poetry where she gave H.E J.A. Kufuor accolades for his very many selfless accomplishments  with the Kufuor Foundation.

H.E. J.A. Kufuor in his closing remarks admonished the “passing out scholars” who according to him had come with a hunger and willingness to learn, and quite like the Foundation, they came with a desire to see that that Ghana and Africa has good leaders to catalyse good governance and socio-economic development to stay true to everything they came by through their membership of the programme. He reminded them that his doors and ears will always be open to them. His keen interest in their personal development will continue and he promised to monitor their progress as they enter the next phase of their lives.He further told the Class of 2018 to stay loyal to constituted Authority, regardless of age or social class just as they had seen him do.  He gave special thanks to the African Plantation for Sustainable Development Ltd. (APSD), Vodafone Ghana, Kingdom Books, Bishop Agyinasare who donated his widows mite at the start of the Kufuor Scholars Program. In giving thanks for the opportunity and promising to staying true to what they has had been taught in word and deed, the Class of 2018 gave back in cash, the sum of Seven thousand cedis (GH₵7,000), as led by Class president, Salman Mohammed.

Dr Samuel K. Pipim encouraged the team to stay refreshed, drinking from fresh stream as opposed to stagnant water. He enjoined them to keep learning, keep reading. He expressed his pride in the graduating class willingness to give back from what they had received in cash, in the same vein he encouraged them to keep serving. In addition, he implored them to stay humble even when they “fly with great colours, else they will stumble and crumble.” He encouraged them to give their very best and never be discouraged.

After Dr Pipim’s admonishment, everyone joined the chorus for Hezekiah Walker’s “I need you to Survive”  as led by Lydia Adjanim-Boateng.

Bishop Charles Agyinasare reminded them of the years in life;  receiving years (0 – 30 years), acquiring years (30 – 60 years) and giving years (60 – 90 years). He admonished them to read, learn and prepare during their acquiring years, so they can rest during their giving years. He encouraged them to think outside the box, produce and be examples in the world at large.

Finally, he shared that they should not allow life make them soft or hardened and bitter, rather through life’s woes should make them do their best excellently with knowledge and skill acquired from KSP and season and bring change to their environment. After which, he brought the Ceremony to a close as he committed the graduating class.