Ashraf Ghani

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (Pashto/Dari: اشرف غنی احمدزی; born May 19, 1949) is an Afghan politician and economist who served as the President of Afghanistan from 2014 to 2021. He was the first president of Afghanistan to be born after the country's independence in 1919.

Early life and education:

Ghani was born in Logar Province, Afghanistan, to Pashtun parents. He attended Habibia High School in Kabul and then went on to study at the American University of Beirut, where he received a bachelor's degree in anthropology in 1973. He then moved to the United States, where he obtained a master's degree in development economics from Columbia University in 1977 and a doctorate in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1983.

Early career:

Ghani worked as a consultant for the World Bank from 1983 to 1991. He then returned to Afghanistan and served as the Minister of Finance from 2002 to 2004. In 2009, he was elected as President of the Afghan National Bank, a position he held until 2014.

Presidency:

Ghani was elected President of Afghanistan in 2014, defeating Abdullah Abdullah in a runoff election. He took office on September 29, 2014. During his presidency, Ghani faced a number of challenges, including the ongoing war in Afghanistan, the rise of the Taliban, and a struggling economy.

Fall of Kabul and exile:

In August 2021, the Taliban launched a major offensive against the Afghan government, quickly capturing most of the country. On August 15, 2021, Ghani fled Kabul as the Taliban entered the city. He eventually ended up in the United Arab Emirates, where he remains in exile.

Personal life:

Ghani is married to Rula Ghani, a Lebanese-American academic. They have two children. Ghani is fluent in Pashto, Dari, English, French, German, and Arabic.

Legacy:

Ghani's legacy is complex and controversial. He is credited with making progress on a number of fronts, including education, healthcare, and economic development. However, he is also criticized for his handling of the war in Afghanistan, his perceived corruption, and his failure to address the country's deep-seated problems.