Mo Ibrahim $5m Award Why Kufour Was Dropped

�is it Ghana@50 malfeasance? �is it the missing 77 parcels of cocaine? �maybe the fraudulent Vodafone deal? The Ex-President John Agyekum Diawuo Kufour, the second President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, has developed an insatiable fondness for awards whether he deserves it or not, but one may conclude that he is just fighting space among men of honesty and integrity worldwide. Whilst serving as President; and after exiting office, Mr. Kufour had rated himself the best head of state in the Ghanaian political history by conferring on himself a national award � costing the Ghanaian taxpayer �32.7 million, oblivious of the cry of the suffering masses. His love for award transcends moral values. But the former President might be saddened with disappointment against Dr Mo Ibrahim�s turn around, for he has just missed out on the much trumpeted glorious international $5 million Mo Ibrahim Foundation Award for good governance for former African leaders of which his name came up mysteriously. For the past few months, media report suggested that Ex-President Thabo Mbeki and former President Kufour had been penciled as the favourites against other former heads of state to win the 2009 Mo Ibrahim Foundation�s prize. However, alas, luck runs out of them, especially, Mr. Kufour, who was the most plausible personality, to bag the five million dollar prize for his weekend parties, and it appears both former leaders have a baggage that questioned their credibility to be nominated for the award. Their nomination, somehow, also undermined the importance of this award. Indeed, if the award is meant for good governance as the Mo Ibrahim Foundation wants the world to believe, then the names that were selected for the award did not merit it, considering their lifestyle as presidents. To start with, it is an opened secret that the former South African President Mbeki was reported to have attempted sabotaging Jacob Zuma�s bid of contesting for Presidency in South Africa. Again, it is a known fact that former President Olesegu Obasanjo, against massive protestation � drawing international uproar � has attempted to change the Nigerian Constitution to enable him run for the third time as President after his tenure had ended, but for the resilience of the discerning Nigerians. When Obasanjo failed to achieve his selfish aim, he was reported of manipulating the electoral process and imposed Yara Dua as the President against the preferred choice of the Nigerian people. Although among the three blinds, Mr. Kufour appears one-eyed, he had equally presided over bad governance. Under him, 77 parcels of cocaine got vanished into thin air without trace at the Tema Port. Also, right under his presidency seized cocaine at the Police Headquarters turned into konkonte powder. The least said about the financial malfeasance during the Ghana@50 celebration the better. Contradictory statements by the witnesses that have appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the Ghana@50 activities are just mind-boggling exposing Mr. Kufuor�s recklessness as president and Commander-in-chief. From all indications, the Prize Committee of the Ibrahim Foundation might have erred in presenting credible and acceptable candidates to the Foundation for possible consideration and subsequent approval for the annual prize. Against this background, the Sudanese-born telecommunications tycoon, Dr Mo Ibrahim, has seemingly rejected the short-listed nominees for the award and canceled the 2009 Award African leadership, probably for both Mbeki and Kufour�s credentials seemed too low to merit his hard won money. Apparently aware of the controversies the rejection may generate, the Foundation has placed a press release on its website, saying it was not meant to ridicule the candidates. �No issue of disrespect,� the statement emphasized. It continued, �Although there is much focus on the prize, the Foundation is engaged in many other activities to help improve governance to stimulate debate around, and improve the quality of African governance.� Since the inception of the Foundation in 2006, two former African leaders have won the prestigious award. Former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique bagged thee 5 million dollar prize for his roles in mediating conflicts among several African countries. In addition, he earns 200,000 dollars a year for life. In 2008, the Botswana�s former President, Festus Mogae, also won the prize with similar amount, after two terms at the helm of one of Africa�s least corrupt and most prosperous nations.