Mahama hails Akufo-Addo as a “worthy opponent” in emotional inaugural speech
In a heartfelt moment during his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, January 7, President John Dramani Mahama paid tribute to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, recognizing him as a “worthy adversary” throughout their political careers.
Reflecting on their shared history, Mahama recalled how both leaders first entered Parliament together in 1996 and expressed deep mutual respect despite their political differences.
Describing their previous encounters, Mahama remarked, “today’s exercise between the outgoing president His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and I feel 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 continued, “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.” Mahama further reflected on their long history, stating, “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.”
In his tribute, Mahama fondly recalled their personal bond, noting, “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.”
Looking back on their journey, Mahama humorously noted how the two men, once much younger, had embarked on their political paths together—him with a full head of hair and Akufo-Addo with his distinctive bald head and round eyeglasses. He said, “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.”
