The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has emphasised the importance of building strong and genuine relationships as a foundation for unity and national development, urging Ghanaians to cultivate bonds that transcend political and social divisions.

According to him, the strength of any society lies in the quality of interpersonal relationships among its citizens, stressing that mutual respect, forgiveness and understanding are essential for sustaining such ties.

Mr Debrah made the remarks when he addressed members of the Accra Friendship Club at their Dinner and Awards Night held in Accra on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Speaking on the theme of relationships, he encouraged members to value human connections and maintain moral, social and functional boundaries in their interactions.

The Chief of Staff noted that his participation in the event came at the end of a particularly busy day marked by three official engagements.

He began the day with a health walk at the University of Ghana at 6 a.m., after which he travelled to Kumasi on an 11 a.m. flight to represent President John Dramani Mahama at the funeral of the sister of Kumasi-based Prophet Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre, alias “Opambour” or “Prophet 1”.

Later in the evening, he returned to Accra to represent the President at the Accra Friendship Club event held under the Ridge Underbridge at 7 p.m. it was graced by ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor.

“In life, whether in human relations, organisations, or in our pursuit of success, there are moral, social and functional boundaries that must be respected. When we build genuine relationships based on respect and affection, they can last a lifetime and shape our future in ways we may never imagine,” Mr Debrah said.

He also lamented what he described as the growing partisan acrimony between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which he said was destroying otherwise healthy and meaningful relationships among Ghanaians.

To illustrate his point, Mr Debrah recounted his long-standing relationship with former President Kufuor, which dates back to his days as a student at Achimota School.

He explained that while he was a sixth-form student at the school, Mr Kufuor’s son, Kofi Kufuor, was his junior and he served as his “school father”, a role that required him to guide and look after the younger student.

“At the time, sixth-form students had cubicles, and when juniors received provisions from their parents, they entrusted them to their school fathers for safekeeping. I was responsible for keeping Kofi Kufuor’s provisions,” he recalled.

Mr Debrah said he never imagined at the time that Mr Kufuor would one day become President of Ghana or that he himself would later serve as Chief of Staff.

However, he noted that the bond he developed with the Kufuor family led to monetary gifts abd occasional invitations to spend weekends at the former President’s residence near the Kotoka International Airport area, where he received advice and encouragement.

“He would ask about my background, my parents and advise me to be a disciplined young man so that I could become a responsible person in the future. Today, the rest, as they say, is history,” he said.

Mr Debrah added that the experience taught him that relationships built on trust and respect can have a lasting impact on one’s life.

He further urged members of the club to embrace forgiveness in their relationships, explaining that harbouring anger and resentment ultimately harms the individual.

“As I grew older, I realised that when someone offends you and you choose to forgive them and pray for the grace to forgive, you free yourself from bitterness and hatred,” he said.

Mr Debrah commended the Accra Friendship Club for creating a platform that brings people together in friendship and goodwill, noting that such initiatives promote unity and hope for the future.

He also conveyed the congratulations and appreciation of President Mahama to members of the club, many of whom he said were active in the private sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s development.

According to him, the President remains committed to harnessing the talents and resources of Ghanaians to transform the country into a major manufacturing hub and a leading industrial centre in West Africa.

Mr Debrah expressed optimism about Ghana’s future as the nation approaches its 70th anniversary of independence.

“Continue to have hope in our country and remember that all hope is not lost,” he said, adding that Ghana would continue to serve as a beacon of hope in the years ahead.