Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, born on March 29, 1944, in Accra, Ghana, is a prominent Ghanaian politician and lawyer who has served as the President of Ghana since January 7, 2017. He comes from a distinguished political family; his father, Edward Akufo-Addo, was a former Chief Justice and President of Ghana, and his maternal grandfather, Nana Sir Ofori Atta I, was a member of the Royal Family of Akyem Abuakwa and a key figure in Ghanaian politics.

Akufo-Addo's education began in Ghana, where he attended various prestigious institutions, including the Government Boys School in Adabraka and the Rowe Road School. He continued his education in the United Kingdom at Lancing College, and later returned to Ghana to attend the University of Ghana, Legon, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1967. He subsequently went to the UK to study law, where he was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in 1971, and to the Ghanaian Bar in 1975.

After qualifying as a lawyer, Akufo-Addo began his career in Paris, France, working for a law firm called Coudert Frères. He later returned to Ghana and co-founded the law firm Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co., which became one of the most prominent firms in the country. His legal career was marked by significant involvement in civil rights cases and advocacy for democratic governance in Ghana.

Akufo-Addo's political career began in the late 1970s, influenced by his family's political legacy and his own beliefs in freedom and democracy. He was an active participant in the movements that opposed the military regime in Ghana during the 1970s and 1980s, including the "People's Movement for Freedom and Justice," which opposed the UNIGOV concept proposed by the Supreme Military Council.

His political rise continued when he became a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), founded by the merger of several smaller political parties that were opposed to the ruling Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). In 1992, Akufo-Addo was one of the founding members of the NPP and played a vital role in drafting the party's constitution. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa South Constituency in 1996 and served until 2008. During his time in Parliament, he held several key positions, including Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2001-2003), and Minister for Foreign Affairs (2003-2007) under President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration.

As the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Akufo-Addo is credited with reforming Ghana’s legal system, including initiating the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, which was seen as a major achievement for press freedom in the country. His tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs was marked by active participation in regional diplomacy, including efforts to resolve conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d'Ivoire.

Akufo-Addo first ran for the presidency in 2008 as the NPP candidate but lost narrowly to John Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the second round of voting. He contested the presidency again in 2012 but was defeated by John Dramani Mahama, the NDC candidate. Despite these setbacks, Akufo-Addo remained a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics and continued to build his political base.

In 2016, Akufo-Addo ran for the presidency for the third time and won with 53.85% of the vote, defeating the incumbent President John Mahama. His victory was seen as a significant shift in Ghanaian politics, with his campaign focusing on economic reform, anti-corruption measures, and industrialization under the slogan "One District, One Factory."

As President, Akufo-Addo has overseen several key initiatives aimed at improving Ghana's economy, including the Planting for Food and Jobs program, the Free Senior High School policy, and the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda, which emphasizes self-reliance and sustainable development. However, his administration has also faced criticism, particularly regarding issues of corruption and economic challenges, including rising public debt.

Akufo-Addo was re-elected in 2020, securing a second term in office. His presidency has continued to focus on economic development, education, and governance reforms, although it has also been marked by challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing debates about the effectiveness of his administration's policies.

Nana Akufo-Addo remains a significant figure in Ghanaian politics, known for his legal acumen, commitment to democracy, and efforts to transform Ghana's economy and governance.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nana_Akufo-Addo