John Mahama: 5 Things to Know About Ghana’s 'President-elect' Who Lived in Kwara, Nigeria
- Vice president Mahamudu Bawumia has conceded defeat in Ghana’s 2024 elections and congratulated former leader John Mahama
- In a concession speech delivered on Sunday, December 8, Bawumia stated that internal data from his party indicates that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured victory
- Legit.ng reports that the presidential election was conducted nationwide on Saturday, December 7, but the electoral commission of Ghana has yet to announce the final results officially
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Africa.
Accra, Ghana - Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s vice president and ruling party candidate, conceded defeat on Sunday, December 8, to opposition candidate and former President John Dramani Mahama.
Bawumia admitted Mahama won the country's presidential election.
Source: Facebook
Ahead of the official announcement, Bawumia informed journalists that he respects the electorate's decision to vote for change.
Previously president of Ghana between July 2012 and January 2017, Mahama acknowledged the call from the ruling party candidate in a post on the X (formerly Twitter) page, describing his victory as “emphatic.”
In this report, Legit.ng highlights facts to know about the purported next president of Ghana.
1) John Mahama: Has a connection with Nigeria
In August, Mahama disclosed his connection with Offa, Kwara state, northcentral Nigeria.
The Ghanaian politician made this revelation in a public event, a clip that went viral at the time.
Speaking about Nigeria, Mahama explained:
"My stepmother is Nigerian, who raised me. She comes from Offa in Kwara state."
Mahama detailed his personal history, highlighting a period of exile during a coup in Ghana that led him to live with his stepmother in Offa.
He added:
"I had to come and stay with my stepmother for many years in Offa, so I know Offa quite well."
Watch the video below:
2) John Mahama: Former Ghana vice president
Mahama served as vice president of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012.
He took office as president on July 24, 2012, following the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills.
3) John Mahama: Ex-minister in Ghana
Mahama served as deputy minister for communication between 1997 and 1998.
Later, in 1998, he became the substantive minister for communications.
4) Mahama: Dad to ex-professional footballer
Mahama is married to Lordina Mahama. Mahama has five children named Shafik, Shahid, Sharaf, who formerly played for Rostocker FC in Germany as a striker, Jesse and Farida.
His family is multi-faith, consisting of Christians and Muslims.
Sharaf Mahama, a sports enthusiast, secured a licensed FIFA agent certificate earlier in 2024 following the examinations organised by the world football governing body.
The feat made him a licensed FIFA football agent for the scouting, promotion, and development of football talents both locally and internationally.
Sharaf is the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Sharaf Mahama Foundation, a Ghanaian-based organisation said to be devoted to the promotion of community development through sports, health, and education.
5) John Mahama: Three-time member of parliament
Mahama, 65, was first elected to the parliament of Ghana in the 1996 elections to represent the Bole/Bamboi Constituency for a four-year term. In 2000, he was re-elected for another four-year term as the member of parliament for the Bole/Bamboi constituency.
He was again re-elected in 2004 for a third term.
Ghana gives condition to buy petrol from Dangote
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the head of Ghana's oil regulator stated that Ghana may purchase petroleum products from Nigeria's Dangote Oil Refinery once it reaches full capacity.
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the chairman of Ghana's National Petroleum Authority, stated at the OTL Africa Downstream oil conference in Lagos that this may eliminate $400 million in petroleum imports from Europe each month.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
