Kufour wins Chatham House Prize

HE John Kufuor
President of Ghana

Chatham House Prize

About the Prize
The annual Chatham House Prize is awarded to the statesperson who is deemed by Chatham House members to have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations in the previous year.

The selection process draws on the expertise of Chatham House's research teams and three presidents - Lord Ashdown, Lord Hurd and Lord Robertson. Our members are then invited to vote for the winner in a ballot.

The winner is presented with a crystal award and a scroll signed by our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. The award ceremony and dinner takes place at a City of London venue with keynote speeches by leading figures in international affairs. The recipient of the Prize or a keynote speaker from the ceremony will also be invited to address a Members' Event on or around the day of the award.
Chatham House Prize 2008
President John Kufuor of Ghana has been voted by members the winner of the 2008 Chatham House Prize. The other nominees were: The Aga Khan, Christopher Hill and Angela Merkel. The award ceremony will take place at Drapers' Hall in the City of London in October.

John Kufuor became President in December 2000 in Ghana's first peaceful transfer of power from one elected government to another. Peace and economic growth have characterized his two terms in office. Known as the 'Gentle Giant', he has taken a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts, including those in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. In 2007 Ghana was Chair of the African Union, and President Kufuor worked selflessly and tirelessly to mediate in multiple crises across the continent. President Kufuor is expected to stand down at the end of 2008. He will do so with the admiration of his citizens and the respect of the international community, having made economic growth a priority and contributed to social freedom and the growth of a robustly free press. His lasting legacy to Ghana will be to leave office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it.