....“I don’t blame the leaders because many of them were forced into leadership positions; they were not prepared;…you cannot give leadership in any sector [to anybody] without they being prepared in terms of knowledge and experience and exposure."

Those were the words of former President John Agyekum Kufuor at the launch of the Endowment Fund of The John A. Kufuor Foundation (JAK Foundation).

According to Mr Kufuor, most of the country’s leaders across sectors are performing poorly because they were forced into those positions.

He further noted that "the problem of unprepared leaders is not limited to Ghana, it pervasive in much of Africa."

The JAK Foundation Endowment Fund was launched in Accra in furtherance of the legacy of selfless leadership and commitment to national development by the former President.

A ceremony to raise money for the Endowment Fund, which was organised by JAK Foundation, was in line with the “80 for 80” campaign, which seeks to raise GH¢80 million cedis ($15 million) to commemorate the upcoming 80th birthday of former President Kufuor on December 8.

The Fund would facilitate the JAK Foundation’s work in the areas of leadership, governance and economic empowerment.

The former President envisions an establishment of a peaceful, well governed and economically sustainable Ghana and Africa on the pillars of the Foundation; leadership, governance and economic development.

Proceeds of the Fund would be allocated as follows; five million dollars for the construction of an ultra-modern Centre for Leadership and Governance at the University of Ghana, and 10 million dollars invested in the Fund.

The returns on the investment would be used for the running of the various projects of the Foundation.

These include The Kufuor Scholars Programmme (KSP), The Kufuor Young Entrepreneurs Network, Annual Lecture Series on Governance and Development, The Kufuor Election Observers Group, and The Kufuor Prize for Best Community Leadership.

Former President Kufuor, during the launch at the weekend, said most leaders were performing poorly because they were not adequately prepared for the position.

He, therefore, called for adequate preparation of the youth for leadership, which his Foundation was seeking to do.

"My hope is that the Foundation becomes the legacy I leave behind."

The Former President explained that every project came with its challenges and the Foundation’s biggest challenge continued to be its long-term sustainability.

"I have done my best as an individual but the expanding project work requires additional support," he added.

Nana Otuo Siriboe II, the Chairman of the Council of State, and the Omanhene of the Juabeng Traditional Area, who formally launched the Kufuor Endowment Fund, said the sustainability of the JAK Foundation must be a priority for the benefit of posterity.

Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, a former Speaker of Parliament, said the JAK Foundation was a worthy course, which must be supported by all and sundry.

Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, the Chief Executive Officer of the JAK Foundation, said he was convinced that the combination of the Foundation's focused strategy, diversified programming and growing partnerships would create long-term value for its target groups and Ghana as a whole.

"We are beating a path as the first in Ghana to institutionalize the visionary leadership of a former President, whose post-presidential has been fully dedicated to furthering the well-being of his people and humanity at large," he added.

Dignitaries at the fundraising dinner include Mr Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Aviation, and Mr Olufemi Abikoye, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana.

Others were Dr Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, his First Deputy, Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari and Second Deputy, Ms Elsie Addo Awadzi.