John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially assumed office as Ghana’s sixth President of the Fourth Republic. He took the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, during a ceremony held in parliament at the Black Star Square in Accra. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Torkornoo.
Before President Mahama’s swearing-in, Ghana witnessed another historic milestone as Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the first Ghanaian female Vice President, took the oath of office and the Vice Presidential oath.
President Mahama is no stranger to the high office. He previously served as Ghana’s fourth President of the Fourth Republic from January 7, 2013, to January 6, 2017. He is now the first president under the Fourth Republic to lose an election and return to power after contesting two subsequent elections, achieving a landslide victory in the 2024 polls.
Born 66 years ago in Damongo, in the Savannah Region of Ghana, to Mr. E. A. Mahama and Madam Abiba Nnaba, John Mahama has served at various levels of governance. His political journey includes roles as Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Deputy Minister for Communications, Minister for Communications, Vice President, and President of the Republic of Ghana.
Mahama’s academic background in history, communications, and social psychology has profoundly shaped his worldview, contributing to his development as a leader. During his first term as President, Ghana witnessed significant infrastructural advancements in education, health, ports and harbors, aviation, rail, oil and gas, and ICT. His strategic investments positioned Ghana as a Lower-Middle-Income Country, paving the way for future development.
Beyond infrastructure, Mahama is passionate about investing in people, particularly advocating for social justice and equity. His efforts to promote the interests of girls and women were evident in his administration’s policies and appointments. In 2020, he made history by nominating Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate, a first for a major political party in Ghana. Their victory in 2024 has now ushered in Ghana’s first female Vice President.
John Mahama is an avid reader, author, and historian. His literary contributions include his memoir, “My First Coup d’État and Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa.” A strong advocate for technology and agriculture, Mahama’s deep connection to farming stems from his upbringing, as his father was a prominent rice farmer and educator. He is committed to increasing agricultural productivity, encouraging youth to view farming as a viable and profitable enterprise, and leveraging technology to enhance the sector.
On the international stage, President Mahama has held several prominent positions. He is a former Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and played a key role in laying the groundwork for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), now headquartered in Ghana. He also served as the first Co-chair of the United Nations Advocacy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals and currently chairs the TANA Forum, a high-level security forum in Africa.
In recognition of his leadership and contributions, Mahama has received numerous honorary doctoral degrees from esteemed universities, including Ekiti State University, the University of Ilorin, Igbinedion University in Nigeria, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and the Lyon Business School in France.
With his resounding victory in the December 2024 elections, John Dramani Mahama has made history as Ghana’s first democratically elected president to serve non-consecutive terms. A family man with strong Christian values, President Mahama has been married to Lordina Dramani Mahama for over 32 years, epitomizing dedication and commitment both in his personal and professional life.
President Mahama’s return to the presidency marks a new chapter in Ghana’s political history. With his wealth of experience, visionary leadership, and commitment to the nation’s progress, Ghanaians anticipate a future marked by unity, development, and prosperity under his stewardship.
