GHANA SWEARS IN HER FOURTH JOHN AS PRESIDENT

                                                                                 

Mr. John Dramani Mahama took the oath of office today as the new president of Ghana. He is the fourth President of Ghana bearing the name John. Mr. John Dramani Mahama became president on 24th July 2012 after the death of President John Evans Atta Mills. Born on 29th November 1958, he was vice-president of Ghana from 2009 to 2012. A communication expert, historian and writer, President John Dramani Mahama was a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009 and Minister of Communication from 1998 to 2001.

On August 30, 2012 President John Dramani  Mahama was overwhelmingly endorsed as the flag bearer for the National Democratic Congress that was held at Kumasi, the Capital City of the Ashanti Region. In the presidential elections held on December 7, 2012, the incumbent president and candidate for the NDC,  John Dramani Mahama got 50.7 percent of the votes while the opposition leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo Addo received 47.74 percent. The series of presidents bearing the name John, started with Jerry John Rawlings who came to office as Heard of State through a coup in 1981. He held the post of Head of State till 1992. In 1992, Jerry John Rawlings founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party under the platform he contested the presidential elections and won. In 1996, he was re-elected and ended his second term in 2000. The candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. John Agyekum Kuffuor won the presidential elections in December 2000, becoming the second John to rule Ghana. He was re-elected on December 7, 2004 and ended his second term in 2008. Mr. John Evans Atta Mills was elected President of Ghana in December, 2008 and assumed office on January 7, 2009, becoming the third John to lead Ghana. He died on July 24, 2012 after a brief illness. His death led to the swearing in of his vice, John Dramani Mahama as the president. Thus, since 1981, the “Johns” have been leading the “Gold Country” and their leadership has brought growth economically, politically, socially to the country. Also, within this period, the reputation of Ghana soared to high heavens the country produced the Secretary to United Nations in the person of Mr. Koffi Anna who was the first black to occupy the coveted seat after Mr. Boutrus Boutrus Ghali of Egyptian who was perceived then as a white man than a black man because of his white colour. The questions many people across world are asking are: is there a magic wand associated with the name “John”? Is the name “John” synonymous with good governance? From all indications, the leadership of “Johns” has brought growth economically, socially, politically, etc to Ghana. It has also brought peace, stability and security to the country. Another question is, will Ghana get a fifth John as her president after President John Dramani  Mahama? Only time will tell.