Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor was born on December 8, 1938 in Kumasi, Ghana. He had his Secondary Education at Prempeh College where he passed at the top of his class. He enrolled at Lincoln Inn, London, and was called to the Bar in 1961 at the age of 22 =. He then entered Oxford University where he passed his Honors BA degree in 1964 in Economics , Philosophy and Politics. He was subsequently confirmed, in accord with Oxford traditions, with the Master's degree by the University.

Both sides of Kufuor's parentage come from distinguished families whose members include Chiefs, Farmers, Timber Merchants, Businessmen, University Professors Doctors, Engineers, Accountants, Teachers, Nurses, Lawyers and Politicians. J. A. Kufuor is happily married to Theresa (Nee Mensah). The marriage is blessed with five children, four of whom are University Graduates with the Youngest son still in the University. Mr. Kufuor and his family belong to the Roman Catholic Church.