Mahama reflects on unique bond with Akufo-Addo, highlights shared political journey:
In a poignant and personal moment, President John Dramani Mahama used his inaugural address to reflect on his unique relationship with outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.
President Mahama recounted how he and Akufo-Addo began their national political careers together in 1996 as members of Parliament. “Nana Akufo-Addo and I both began our national political careers in Parliament in the same year, 1996.”
He described the mutual respect that existed between them despite their differing political ideologies. He shared how destiny brought them to the leadership of their respective parties and how they faced off three times in their journey as rivals for the nation’s highest office.
He praised Akufo-Addo as a “worthy opponent,” adding “I have to say you have without exception been a worthy opponent,” and humorously noted their shared journey with the comment “two much younger men who entered parliament together with a full head of black hair, and you, with the same bald head and round eyeglasses.”
