Ghana’s newly sworn-in President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has commended former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, describing him as a worthy opponent.
H.E. John Dramani Mahama, who officially assumed office on January 7th, 2025, said he has nothing but respect and admiration for his predecessor as they both began their political career as Parliamentarians in the same year, 1996 and have faced each other on three separate occasions while contesting for the office of President.
President Mahama, said this during his inauguration ceremony at Independence Square which marks the third time he has been sworn-in as President of Ghana. His first swearing-in occurred in July 2012, following the death of President John Evans Atta Mills.
According to him, the inauguration is a testament of Ghana’s democratic maturity and brought a sense of “déjà vu,” as it mirrored the events of January 7, 2017, when he handed over power to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“That speaks to our maturity as a democracy, a nation of citizens enfranchised with the authority at the post to determine their political future. Today’s exercise between the outgoing president his excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and I feels a bit like a déjà vu that is because eight years ago to this day on January 7th 2017 we shared this same space and performed this same transitional exercise
“At the time, I was the outgoing president, having served one term, and he was the incoming president, having been given a mandate by the people of Ghana to lead this great nation of ours.
“He and I both understood on that day, as I’m sure we are today, that it is the people of Ghana that we are elected to serve. Somehow, it seems fitting that it is with Nana Akufo-Addo that I twice shared this stage and this unique historical distinction because Nana Akufo-Addo and I began our national political careers in parliament in the same year 1996.” He said.
President Mahama further disclosed that despite differing political ideologies,, Nana Addo has always “greeted him with warmth, a firm handshake a smile. He said the former President is the only person in his life who persistently calls him Jonny.
“He has always greeted me with warmth, a firm handshake and a smile and he is perhaps the only person in my life who has persistently chosen to call me Johnny. While we belonged to opposing political parties, we shared a sense of mutual respect. In those early days, we probably could not have imagined that destiny would bring us to the leadership of our respective parties and that we would have to face off three separate times as we each vied for the highest office of the land.
“Nana as this to be our final meeting under these circumstances and as I look back on the journey we have travelled together, two much younger men who entered parliament together with a full head of black hair and you with the same bald head and round eye glasses, I have to say that you have without exception been a worthy opponent.” He said.
President Mahama also ceased the opportunity to offered his best wishes to former Vice President his main competitor in the 7th December 2024 elections, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, while acknowledging his role in ensuring a smooth conclusion to the recent election.
“I extend my warmest wishes to His Excellency, the former Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia. It was a grueling campaign, and we gave it our all. Your sportsmanship in making an early concession eased tensions and contributed to the early conclusion of the electoral contest. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.”
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
