Mahama sworn-in as Ghana’s 6th President under 4th Republic

John Dramani Mahama, of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has taken the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath, officially assuming office as Ghana’s sixth President under the Fourth Republic. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Parliament, Black Star Square, Accra, and was administered by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

This followed the oath of office taken by Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who became Ghana’s first female Vice President.

Mahama, who previously served as the fourth President of Ghana from January 7, 2013, to January 6, 2017, is the first president in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to lose an election and later return to power after securing a landslide victory in subsequent contests.

Born 66 years ago in Damongo, in the current Savannah Region of Ghana, to Mr. E. A. Mahama and Madam Abiba Nnaba, Mahama has positions These include serving as Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Deputy Minister for Communications, Minister for Communications, Vice President, and President of Ghana.

His academic background, with degrees in history, communications, and social psychology, has deeply influenced his worldview and shaped his leadership approach.

During his first administration, Mahama oversaw significant infrastructure development across various sectors, including education, healthcare, transport, energy, and ICT. His strategic investments helped transition Ghana into a Lower-Middle-Income Country, paving the way for the next phase of development.

President Mahama is also known for his strong commitment to social justice and equity, particularly in promoting the rights and welfare of girls and women. His administration appointed many women to key roles, and in 2020, he made history by nominating Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his vice-presidential candidate—an unprecedented move for a major political party in Ghana. This decision paved the way for Ghana’s first female Vice President following their 2024 victory.

A passionate reader, author, and historian, Mahama has contributed articles to various newspapers and authored several books, including his memoir My First Coup d’État and Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa. His personal connection to agriculture, rooted in his upbringing as the son of a prominent rice farmer, drives his focus on increasing agricultural productivity, especially among the youth, through the adoption of modern technologies.

Internationally, Mahama has been influential in various capacities. He served as Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and led the African Union’s High-Level African Trade Committee. He played a key role in establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose secretariat is based in Ghana. Mahama also chaired the TANA Forum on African security and was the first Co-Chair of the UN’s Advocacy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals.

His leadership and contributions have earned him several honorary doctorates from prestigious universities worldwide, including institutions in Nigeria, Scotland, and France.

Following his victory in the December 2024 elections, Mahama made history as Ghana’s first president to be democratically elected for a non-consecutive second term.

A devoted family man and committed Christian, Mahama has been married to Lordina Dramani Mahama for over 32 years.