John Dramani Mahama, aged 65, who previously served as Ghana's president from 2012 to 2017, is once again vying for the country’s highest office. An experienced politician with various roles under his belt, Mahama's political journey began in his childhood after his father's imprisonment during a military coup. His experiences have greatly influenced his perspective, which he has shared through notable writings, including his memoir, "My First Coup D'etat," receiving acclaim from distinguished African writers.
Reviving Ambitions: John Dramani Mahama's Return to Ghana's Political Sphere
Reviving Ambitions: John Dramani Mahama's Return to Ghana's Political Sphere
John Mahama, former president of Ghana, gears up for a political comeback amid economic challenges and past controversies.
Born in 1958 in Damongo, Mahama's opulent upbringing and educational background, including a Communication Studies degree from the University of Ghana and studies in Russia, shaped his political outlook. After joining politics in 1996 as an MP for the National Democratic Congress, he quickly ascended, eventually becoming vice-president under President John Atta Mills. Following Mills’ unexpected death, Mahama was sworn in as president, later winning re-election.
Mahama's leadership has garnered mixed reviews; though lauded for his communication skills by some, critics argue his tenure was marred by economic struggles and corruption scandals, leading to nicknames such as "Mr. Dumsor" for his administration’s handling of power outages. His attempts to reclaim the presidency in 2020 failed against current President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Despite past defeats, Mahama remains active in politics as the opposition leader. He balances his public life with a family of seven children and a passion for writing and music. His campaign focuses on Ghana's dire economic state under Akufo-Addo's administration and attempts to convey a message of learned lessons from prior governance. With the stakes high, Mahama aims to persuade voters that he can lead Ghana towards a better future this time around.
Mahama's leadership has garnered mixed reviews; though lauded for his communication skills by some, critics argue his tenure was marred by economic struggles and corruption scandals, leading to nicknames such as "Mr. Dumsor" for his administration’s handling of power outages. His attempts to reclaim the presidency in 2020 failed against current President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Despite past defeats, Mahama remains active in politics as the opposition leader. He balances his public life with a family of seven children and a passion for writing and music. His campaign focuses on Ghana's dire economic state under Akufo-Addo's administration and attempts to convey a message of learned lessons from prior governance. With the stakes high, Mahama aims to persuade voters that he can lead Ghana towards a better future this time around.
