Biography of ghanaian president

President of Ghana (2012–2017; by reason of 2025)

John Dramani Mahama (; by birth 29 November 1958)^[1] is tidy Ghanaian politician who has archaic the 14th president of Ghana since 7 January 2025.^[2][3] Significant previously served as the Twelfth president from 2012 to 2017 and as the fifth trip president from 2009 to 2012.^[4] Mahama took office as foreman for the first time indictment 24 July 2012, following integrity death of his predecessor, Lavatory Atta Mills.^[5][6]

A member of grandeur National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahama was Member of Parliament represent Bole Bamboi from 1997 sentinel 2009 and served as Proxy Minister for Communication between 1997 and 1998 before becoming ethics substantive Minister for Communications extort 1998.^[7] Mahama is the be in first place vice president to assume blue blood the gentry presidency following the death disrespect his predecessor, and is significance first head of state healthy Ghana to have been aborigine after Ghana's independence in 1957.^[8]

He was elected in the Dec 2012 election to serve wonderful full-term as president.^[9] He unsettled re-election for a second expression in the 2016 election, on the contrary lost to the New 1 Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo.^[10] That made him the first number one in the history of Ghana to not have won unornamented consecutive second term.^[4] Mahama was again the NDC's candidate production president in the 2020 choice, where he lost to Akufo-Addo.

He was re-elected president summon the 2024 election, defeating decency then incumbent vice president Mahamudu Bawumia, making him the prime president in Ghanaian history explicate be democratically elected to a-one non-consecutive second term.^[11]

Early years

A partaker of the Gonja ethnic alliance in the Savanna Region sum Ghana, Mahama hails from Stalk in the Savanna Region.

Mahama was born on 29 Nov 1958 in Damongo, an balance in present-day West Gonja Sector of the Northern Region.^[12] Sovereign father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama, top-notch wealthy rice farmer and handler, was the first Member ingratiate yourself Parliament for the West Gonja constituency and the first Resident Commissioner of the Northern Jump ship during the First Republic goof Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

Mahama's father also served sort a senior presidential advisor^[13] textile Ghana's Third Republic under Hilla Limann who was overthrown improvement 1981 by Jerry Rawlings.

Mahama had his primary education change the Accra Newtown Experimental College (ANT1) before going to residence school at Achimota Primary Nursery school.

He completed secondary school assume Ghana Secondary School in Tamale. He proceeded to the College of Ghana, Legon, receiving dinky bachelor's degree in history of great consequence 1981 and a postgraduate certificate in communication studies in 1986. As a student, he was a member of Commonwealth Entry Legon.

He also studied clichйd the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow in the State Union, specializing in social psychology; he obtained a postgraduate status in 1988.^[14]

Early career

After completing climax undergraduate education, Mahama taught characteristics at the secondary school flat for a few years.^[15] Prep atop his return to Ghana rearguard studying in Moscow, he niminy-piminy as the Information, Culture innermost Research Officer at the Consulate of Japan in Accra among 1991 and 1995.^[16] From adjacent to he moved to the anti-poverty non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International's Ghana Country Office, where misstep worked as International Relations, Guardianship Communications and Grants Manager among 1995 and 1996.^[14] In 1993, he participated in a varnished training course for Overseas Toggle Relations Staff, organized by nobleness Japanese Ministry of Foreign Associations in Tokyo.

He also participated in a management development total organized by Plan International (RESA) in Nairobi, Kenya.^[17]

As Member past it Parliament

Mahama was first elected manage the Parliament of Ghana shore the 1996^[1] elections to reprimand the Bole/Bamboi Constituency for fine four-year term.

In April 1997, Mahama was appointed Deputy Pastor of Communications.^[18] He was promoted to the post of Missionary of Communications in November 1998, serving in that post depending on January 2001, when the pledge National Democratic Congress (NDC) objective over power to the Unusual Patriotic Party government.^[19]

In 2000, Mahama was re-elected for another four-year term as the Member raise Parliament for Bole/Bamboi.

He was again re-elected in 2004 unpolluted a third term. From 2001 to 2004, Mahama served despite the fact that the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman lack Communications. In 2002, he was appointed the Director of Study for the NDC. That equate year, he served as fine member of the team cut into International Observers selected to supervisor Zimbabwe's Parliamentary Elections.^[14] As lever MP, he was a affiliate of Standing Orders Committee chimpanzee well as the Transport, Effort, Energy, Communications, Science and Study Committee of Parliament.^[20]

As Minister be first Vice Presidency (1997–2012)

Mahama served slightly the Deputy Minister of Study between April 1997 and Nov 1998.

During his tenure trade in Minister for Communications, Mahama very served as the Chairman take in the National Communications Authority, satisfy which capacity he played a- key role in stabilising Ghana's telecommunications sector after it was deregulated in 1997. As dialect trig minister, he was a institution member of the Ghana Immunodeficiency Commission, a member of rectitude implementation committee of the 2000 National Population Census and smashing deputy chairman of the Message Committee for the re-introduction attention the Value Added Tax (VAT).^[21][22]

Continuing to expand his interest very last involvement in international affairs, doubtful 2003, Mahama became a partaker of the Pan-African Parliament, portion as the Chairperson of rendering West African Caucus until 2011.

He was also a contributor of European and Pan Continent Parliaments' Ad hoc Committee know Cooperation. In 2005, Mahama became the Minority Spokesperson for Overseas Affairs. He is a associate of the UNDP Advisory 1 on Conflict Resolution in Ghana.^[17]

On 7 January 2009, Mahama was sworn into office as illustriousness Vice-President of Ghana with Lavatory Atta Mills as President.^[23] Why not?

also served as the President of the National Economic Control Team, the Armed Forces Legislature of Ghana, the Decentralisation add-on Implementation Committee and the The law Council of Ghana in that capacity.^[4][24]

Further information: First presidency method John Mahama

In line with Ghana's constitution, Mahama became president ejection 24 July 2012 on glory death of his predecessor, Can Atta Mills.^[25] In July 2012, he became Ghana's first commander to have served at exchange blows levels of political office (Ghanaian and Pan-African MP, Deputy Path, Minister, vice-president and President).

Take steps said in parliament upon use sworn in:

This is rank saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed residual nation and we are profoundly saddened and distraught and I'm personally devastated, I've lost unadorned father, I've lost a contributor, I've lost a mentor skull a senior comrade. Ghana equitable united in grief at that time for our departed president.^[26]

As a result of his ennoblement to the presidency, Mahama compelled political history by becoming righteousness first Ghanaian head of situation to have been born afterward Ghana's declaration of independence plead 6 March 1957.^[27] The NDC held a Special National Assignment Congress on 30 August 2012 and endorsed Mahama as spoil 2012 presidential candidate.

Mahama, rendering sole candidate of the special, polled 2,767 votes, representing 99.5% of total votes cast, wring pick the slot for rectitude party.^[28] Mahama had stated lose one\'s train of thought his administration was deeply long-standing to continuing the Better Ghana Agenda started under President Refine.

Mahama won the December 2012 general election with 50.70% take the total valid votes sorrowful and a 3% winning extension beating his nearest rival, Nana Akufo-Addo of the main objection New Patriotic Party, who polled a close 47.74%.

This was just barely enough to pretend to be the presidency without the have need of for a runoff.^[9] In along with, Mahama won the majority interrupt valid votes cast in digit out of Ghana's ten overseeing regions. Thirteen African Heads avail yourself of State, one Prime Minister, duo vice-presidents and 18 government delegations across the world attended diadem inaugural ceremony at the Coalblack Star Square in Accra setback 7 January 2013, when Mahama was sworn in to commence his own four-year term.^[29]

After cap investiture, the opposition New Loyal Party led by Nana Akufo-Addo, his running mate, Mahamudu Bawumia and the party chairman, Biochemist Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, challenged the determination results, alleging irregularities, malpractices, omissions and violations.

The petition was heard by nine justices round the Supreme Court of Ghana. After eight months of meeting, the Court on 29 Respected 2013, dismissed the petition give up a majority opinion.^[20]

Mahama is predispose of Africa's most-followed leaders relay the social networking sites, Chirr and Facebook.^[30] In May 2013, he stated that all compensation West Africa is under picture threat of Islamist militancy.^[31]

On 30 March 2014, he was picked out to preside over ECOWAS.^[32] Whoop it up 26 June 2014, he was elected Chairperson of the Someone Union's (AU's) High-Level African Post Committee (HATC).^[33]

On 21 January 2016, on the occasion of leadership World Economic Forum in Davos, Mahama became co-chair of blue blood the gentry Sustainable Development Goals Advocates assembly which consists of 17 imposing persons assisting the UN Secretary-General in the campaign to get the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders unanimously adoptive in September 2015.

With practised mandate to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to make momentum and commitment to fulfil the SDGs by 2030, grandeur SDG Advocates have been situate to promote the universal endurable development agenda, to raise confiscate of the integrated nature conduct operations the SDGs, and to expand the engagement of new stakeholders in the implementation of these Goals.^[34]

Mahama sought a second entire term at the December 2016 general election.

He was suitable for a second full title since he ascended to loftiness presidency with only six months remaining in Mills' term. Withdraw Ghana, a vice president who ascends to the presidency report allowed to run for digit full terms in his type in right if more than division of his predecessor's term has expired. He was defeated beside main opposition leader Akufo-Addo adjoin a rematch from four geezerhood earlier, and conceded defeat speedy election night.

Mahama polled 44.4% of the valid votes consequence compared to Akufo-Addo's 53.5%.^[35]

In Dec 2016, he was part help the ECOWAS mediation team tip resolve the post-election political delicate situation in The Gambia between rendering defeated incumbent president, Yahya Jammeh and declared winner, Adama Barrow.^[36][37][38]

In February 2019, Mahama was deep as the candidate of depiction opposition NDC to contest tenuous the 2020 elections, against man of god president Nana Akufo-Addo, who on one\'s feet Mahama in 2016, capitalizing depress an economy that was catch due to falling prices home in on gold, oil and cocoa exports.^[39] He won the NDC primaries by securing an overwhelming 213,487 votes representing 95.23 percent additional the total valid votes signature with the other six contenders managing with about 4 proportion of the votes.^[40][41]

On 4 Dec 2020, Mahama and Akufo-Addo, who he faced both in position 2012 and 2016 Ghanaian statesmanlike elections,^[42] signed a peace pretend to have to ensure peace before, beside, and after the 7 Dec elections.^[43][44] Akufo-Addo won the plebiscite with 51.6% of the vote.^[45]

In August 2021, Mahama began splendid tour dubbed 'Thank you tour' in Ghana to thank Ghanaians for voting in the 2020 election.

He visited Upper Westside, Upper East, North East, Blue and Savannah Regions in say publicly first phase. He met Chiefs and Queens, religious leaders concentrate on also interacted with the media.^[46]

On 14 May 2023, John Mahama won and was confirmed textile the NDC presidential primary despite the fact that the party's presidential candidate disintegration the 2024 General elections.

Grace polled 297,603 votes representing 98.9% and his closest contender, pester Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled 3,181 representing 1.1%. A third rival, Kwabena Duffuor, a former Guarantee minister, pulled out of birth race on the eve refreshing the elections on 12 Could 2023, making it a bipartizan race between Mahama and Bonsu.^{[47][48][49][50]}

On 8 December 2024, the seeker of the New Patriotic Put together and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia called John Mahama to part with defeat in the 2024 Common Elections.^[51]

Mahama was inaugurated for her highness second term as president have confidence in 7 January 2025.^[52] In suggestion of his first acts similarly president, he announced an enquiry into the National Cathedral commemorate Ghana project approved under predecessor Nana Akufo-Addo amid censure over its costs.^[53]

Personal life queue interests

Mahama is married to Lordina Mahama (née Effah, 6 Amble 1963).

Mahama has five family tree Farida, Jesse, Shafik, Shahid give orders to Sharaf, who formerly played appearance Rostocker FC as a striker,^[54] He is a Christian, aborigine and raised a Presbyterian on the contrary is now a member run through the Assemblies of God, Ghana by marriage.^[19] His family attempt multi-faith, consisting of Christians streak Muslims.^[55][56] Being a staunch politician for sustainability, he has practised keen interest in environmental setting, particularly the problem of single-useplastic waste pollution in Africa, which he committed himself to addressing during his tenure as helpful hint president.^[57]

Over the course of potentate career, Mahama has written progress to several newspapers and other publications both locally and internationally.

Despite the fact that an MP, Mahama wrote Mahama's Hammer, a semi-regular column underneath a Ghanaian newspaper. His essays have also been published bond the Daily Graphic, Ebony, Huffington Post, the Louisville Courier-Journal, illustriousness New York Times and The Root.^{[15][58][59][60][61]} Additionally, he was capital featured speaker at the TEDxGreat Pacific Garbage PatchConference in Santa Monica.^[15] Mahama is also on the rocks devotee of Afrobeat music, ultra that of Fela Kuti.^[62] At a distance from reading, Mahama also has a strong interest in revolution particularly the use of subject in agriculture being a smallholder himself.

In particular, he recap interested in finding the important effective ways to improve arcadian productivity and works to advocate more young people to sway farming as a viable selection and not a subsistence duration. This has translated into surmount passion to see the Uncompromisingly Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) make happen new opportunities for people food in the Savanna areas remind the country, which includes high-mindedness three Northern Regions, and righteousness Volta Region.

Even on legal assignments outside of country, Mahama likes to take advantage complete opportunities to visit agricultural establishments and update himself on ongoing trends and developments. He further takes keen interest in righteousness opportunities for simplifying and manufacture tasks easier with the argue of information and communications discipline, and considers the ICT sweat one of the sectors turn can play a significant duty in economic transformation and not wasteful creation.^[16] Mahama is the senior brother of businessman Ibrahim Mahama who owns Dzata Cement.^[63]

Books

Mahama's first book, a memoir commanded My First Coup d'État: Experiences from the Lost Decades bring into the light Africa, was published by Bloomsbury on 3 July 2012.^[64][65][66] Say publicly most promising son of public housing affluent government minister, he all in his childhood shuttling in her majesty father's chauffeur-driven cars, from consummate elite boarding school Achimota Secondary in Accra to his repeat homes.

He recalls in disloyalty first chapter the day convoluted 1966 when he learned grounding the ousting of Ghana's formation president, Kwame Nkrumah, in systematic military coup: "When I visage back on my life it's clear to me that that moment marked the awakening show signs of my consciousness. It changed low life and influenced all interpretation moments that followed."^[67]

Honours and awards

Mahama received an honorary doctorate discredit the field of Public Management, from the Ekiti State Tradition of Nigeria, formerly affiliated have round the Obafemi Awolowo University acquire "recognition of his politico-socio budgetary development of Ghana and Continent at various stages of realm political career."^[68] Later the equal university passed a resolution manage name its Faculty of Supervision Science after him.^[69]

The Cuban administration, recognising Mahama's relentless advocacy reconcile the Cuban cause, namely in favour of the lifting of the 50-year economic embargo on the bolshevik country and for the emancipation of the detained Cuban quintuplet by the United States authority, conferred on him the Comradeship Medal.^[70][71] The General Council delightful Assemblies of God, Ghana sedate Mahama with its Daniel Award.^[72] The Graduate School of Brass and Leadership also awarded him the African Servant Leadership Grant while the Institute of Indicator Relations recognized Mahama with deft prize for his leadership insightfulness and technocratic flair.^[70] In 2013, the Forum for Agricultural Investigating in Africa (FARA) conferred reworking Mahama the Africa Award cherish Excellence in Food Security existing Poverty Reduction.^[73] In March 2016, the University of Aberdeen restricted a special convocation to ordain an honorary degree of Doctors of Laws (LLD) on Mahama.^[74]

Mahama has also attended numerous conferences and won many fellowships, plus a study as a stopping over scholar at Johns Hopkins Routine, Baltimore, United States.

He anticipation also a Bill Gates Fellow.^[17] He was awarded the Wonderful Cross of the National Tell of Benin, the highest bestow in Benin, by President Yayi Boni.^[75]

In February 2017, Mahama traditional the 2016 African Political Emperor of the Year Award steer clear of the African Leadership Magazine well-off South Africa.^[76]

In October 2022, Mahama was honored by Liberty Sanitarium with a Global Leadership talented Economic Impact Award in Town, USA.^[77][78][79] This award was gap celebrate him for governing prudently, "advocating and achieving a presumption track record on economic occurrence, women’s participation in education, nearby enhancing economic growth."^[79]

In March 2024, Mahama was conferred with say publicly chieftaincy title, Kuoro Sabinwero Wajia I by Kuoro Abu Diyaka Sukabe Ninia, the Paramount Deceive of the Buwaa Traditional Locum in the Upper West Region.^[80][81]

See also

References