BY Daniel Bampoe
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday, December 8, 2025, hosted an extraordinary political gathering at his private residence in Peduase as he celebrated his 87th birthday.
The event brought together New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirants and several senior party executives, symbolizing a rare moment of unity within the party ahead of its crucial internal elections. 
The former president dressed in a simple white shirt, warmly engaging the presidential hopefuls- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Ing. Kwabena Agyapong and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum among others.
The images showed a relaxed and reflective Kufuor in light conversations with party officials as they took turns to extend their felicitations.
J. A Kufuor’s political legacy spans more than five decades.
He first entered Parliament in 1969 and went on to serve in key government roles, including as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Progress Party government led by Dr. K.A. Busia.
Following the return to constitutional rule, he became one of the founding figures of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the early 1990s, helping shape its traditions and philosophy.
After multiple attempts at the presidency, Kufuor achieved victory in the December 2000 elections, defeating Prof. John Evans Atta Mills in a historic contest that marked the first peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in the Fourth Republic.
He went on to serve two terms—from 2001 to 2009—during which he championed economic reforms, social intervention programmes and strengthened the nation’s international relations.
The 87th birthday celebration therefore carried symbolic weight, especially as the NPP navigates internal tensions in selecting its next presidential candidate.
For many observers, the presence of all aspirants in Kufuor’s home was a gesture of respect and a powerful reminder of the party’s founding principles of unity and democratic competition.
In a show of bipartisan goodwill, the National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also visited the former president later in the day to wish him well.
Kufuor’s brother, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, and other close associates were also present to celebrate the milestone.
