The President-elect Mr John Agyekum Kufuor was born on December 8, 1938, at Damang in the Ashanti Region. He entered the Lincoln Inn, London, where he obtained a degree in Law in 1959 and Oxford University in United Kingdom from 1961 to 1964. He also has a Masters of Arts degree.

Mr Kufuor started his working career as a Kumasi-based Private Legal practitioner from 1965 to 1969. He was City Manager and Chief Legal Officer of the Kumasi City Council from 1967 to 1969.

He was a member of the Constituent Assembly that wrote the 1969 Second Republican Constitution and the Progress Party's MP for Atwima Nwabiagya constituency. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of the late Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, who governed from 1969-72.

President-elect Kufuor also served on a number of Boards, including being Chairman of the Ashanti Brick and Construction Company, as well as Cojak Company Limited between 1973 and 1978.

He was again a member of the Constituent Assembly that wrote the 1979 Third Republican Constitution and entered parliament for the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency on the ticket of the Popular Front Party (PFP), a successor to the Progress Party.

He was the Deputy Leader and spokesman for the PFP on Foreign Affairs. In 1982 he was appointed the PNDC Secretary for Local Government. He resigned because he did not agree with the philosophy of that regime. Mr Kufuor was the Chairman of Asante Kotoko Football Club from 1988 to 1991.

In 1992 he contested for the NPP's presidential slot but lost to Professor Albert Adu Boahen. He again contested the party's presidential slot in 1996 and won to lead the Great Alliance, which comprised the People's Convention Party (PCP) and NPP. He lost to President Jerry John Rawlings.

Mr Kufuor was again chosen by the NPP as the presidential candidate to contest the December election. He is married to Theresa, a nurse/midwife.