President John Dramani Mahama has recognized former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a worthy adversary.
In his inaugural speech during his swearing-in ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, January 7, Mahama reflected on his history with Akufo-Addo, emphasizing the mutual respect and camaraderie that have defined their relationship over the years.
President Mahama remarked “Today’s exercise between the outgoing president His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and I feels a bit like déjà vu. That is because eight years ago to this day, January 7, 2017, we shared this same space and performed this same transitional exercise. At the time, I was the outgoing president, having served one term, and he was the incoming president, having been given a mandate by the people of Ghana to lead this great nation of ours.”
“He and I both understood on that day, as I am sure we are today, that it is the people of Ghana that we are elected to serve. Somehow it seems fitting that it is with Nana Akufo-Addo that I twice shared this stage and this unique historical distinction because Nana Akufo-Addo and I began our national political careers in Parliament in the same year, 1996.”
“He has always greeted me with warmth, a firm handshake, and a smile, and he is perhaps the only person in my life who has persistently chosen to call me Johnnie. While we belong to opposing political parties, we shared a sense of mutual respect.”
As Mahama looked back on their journey together, he expressed his admiration for Akufo-Addo.
“Nana, as this will be our final meeting under these circumstances, and as I look back on the journey we have travelled together, two much younger men who entered parliament together, with my full head of black hair and you with the same bald head and round eyeglasses, I have to say that you have without exception been a worthy opponent.”