Mahama: always a first

By Bernard Yaw ASHIADEY

He is always first time lucky! He won his parliamentary seat at the first time of asking. He helped his party win power in 2008 when for the first time he was the running-mate of former president John Fiifi Atta Mills. He is also the first vice president to ascend to the throne after the demise of the sitting president.

As a result of his rise to the presidency, John Dramani Mahama (born in 1958) made political history by becoming the first Ghanaian leader to have been born after Ghana's attainment of independence from British colonial rule on 6 March, 1957.

This passing on of the mantle of leadership to a relatively younger president symbolised a changing of paradigm from the old patriarchal characteristic of African politics to a new generation of post-independence-born, innovative and entrepreneurial thinkers, battle-ready to take on pressing challenges such as climate change and food security facing modern democracies in an idea-driven 21st century.

In another first, John Dramani Mahama was the first vice president to author a book, ‘My First Coup D’état’, while in office. But guess what: that’s not all! He is also the first technology-savvy president Ghana has had. He reads his speeches from either an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tablet—Steve Jobs should be feeling proud in his grave anytime he thinks about that – and even the opposition admired him for delivering his first state-of-the-nation address from a teleprompter.

And for the first time again, the president-elect wore an all-white ‘agbada’ to his swearing-in ceremony, instead of the usual kente worn by his predecessors.

President Mahama in his inaugural address pledged to work hard to put Ghana – the symbol of hope for democracy in Africa – on a plinth that will create an optimistic difference in the lives of the citizenry.

“I will work hard to place us on the right path and lead us through the hurdles and obstacles that will impede us from our goals.” But he was swift to jog the memory of the electorate, noting “in each of our hands rests the success or failure of Ghana’s future.”

Referring to the achievements chalked up by the nation’s celebrated sons and daughters, including Dr. Ephraim Amu, Dr. J. B Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Yaa Asantewaa and Tetteh Quarshie, he said these individuals, though from unassuming beginnings, independently elevated the profile of our homeland.

“We must all do our part in our small way, whether in ensuring sanitation, or driving carefully on our roads to avert accidents. Your actions do matter and you can make a difference.”

A member of the Gonja ethnic group from northern Ghana, he was born in Damongo but hails from Bole. Born and bred in a political tradition dating back to the country's first republic, his father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama, a wealthy rice farmer and teacher, was the first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja Constituency and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region under the first republic.

Mahama attended the prestigious Achimota School in Accra and Ghana Secondary School in Tamale, before continuing to the University of Ghana, Legon, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in history in 1981, and a post-graduate diploma in communication studies in 1986.

He also studied at the Institute of Social Sciences, Moscow, in the then Soviet Union, specialising in social psychology for his post-graduate degree in 1988.

Married to Lordina Mahama with seven children, he is a Christian, born and raised a Presbyterian but now a member of Assemblies of God due to marriage. His family is multi-faith, consisting of Christians and Muslims. Mahama is also a polyglot, fluent in English, Akan ( Twi and Fante), Ga, Gonja and Hausa, and proficient in Ewe and Russian.

Being a staunch campaigner for sustainability, he has a keen interest in environmental affairs, particularly the problem of single-use plastic waste pollution in Africa, which he committed himself to addressing during his tenure as vice president.

Over the course of his career he has written for several newspapers and other publications. Apart from his love of reading and acquiring knowledge, President Mahama also has a passionate interest in innovation, particularly the use of technology in agriculture being a farmer himself. In particular, he is interested in finding the most effective ways to improve agricultural productivity and works to encourage more young people to see farming as a viable business and not a subsistence activity.

This has translated into his passion to see the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (known by the acronym SADA) create new opportunities for people living in the Savanna areas of the country, which includes the three northern regions and the northern parts of the Brong-Ahafo and Volta Regions.

Widely acclaimed both locally and internationally for his natural charisma, affable, down-to-earth personality and sterling leadership qualities, he received an honorary doctorate in the field of Public Administration from the Ekiti State University of Nigeria, formally known as the Obafemi Awolowo University, in “recognition of his politico-socio economic development of Ghana and Africa at various stages of his political career.”

The Cuban government, recognising his relentless advocacy for the Cuban cause, especially his call for the lifting of the 50-year economic embargo on the communist country and for the freeing of the detained Cuban five by the United States government, conferred on him the Friendship Medal.

The Graduate School of Governance and Leadership also awarded him the African Servant Leadership Award, while the Institute of Public Relations recognised Mr. Mahama with a prize for his leadership acumen and technocratic flair.

Mr. Mahama is also a Gates Fellow and a recipient of the ‘Daniel Award’ from the General Council of Assemblies of God, for his exceptional leadership qualities. After the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills, his political supporters christened him Ahobrasehene, meaning 'King of Humility'. For someone sitting on the high corridors of power, John has his numerous critics, but he equally enjoys the prodding and encouragement of numerous admirers and friends.