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Records set by Ghana’s First Supreme Leader John Mahama

WISDOM K.E HAMMOND 7 days ago

John Mahama

Ghana’s new president, John Dramani Mahama, has set some great records, including being described as Ghana’s first Supreme Leader.

Ghana, a beacon of democracy in Africa since its return to constitutional governance in 1992, has conducted nine successful elections. President John Dramani Mahama has been described as Ghana’s first supreme leader due to his significant achievements in democratic governance and the massive numbers his party has in parliament.

Records Set by John Mahama in the 2024 Election

What are the records set by Ghana’s first Supreme Leader, John Mahama?

Mahama is the only president of Ghana to be sworn in 3 times as president of Ghana.

John Mahama will set a special record today as the only President of Ghana to have held the Sword of the State to be sworn in three times. He first held it after the passing of President John Atta Mills, then as a winner of the 2012 election, and now as the president following the winning of the 2024 election.

Electoral Triumph:

In the 2012 presidential elections, Mahama secured victory with 50.7% of the votes, narrowly defeating Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo by a margin of three percent. Fast forward to the 2024 elections, Mahama staged what is now referred to as a “fierce comeback,” capturing 57% of the votes against Dr. Bawumia of the NPP, who garnered 38.2%.

Let us play with the numbers and their positioning: in 2014 it was 50.7, but now 57.0 is just a repositioning of the “0” and “7.”

Parliamentary Control:

- Mahama’s new government, supported by 183 NDC members of parliament, secures nearly a two-thirds majority. This majority empowers the government to potentially enact significant constitutional changes, setting the stage for profound governance reforms.

Voter Support:

His 57% win in the 2024 election stands as one of the most decisive victories in recent Ghanaian electoral history, demonstrating strong public support and confidence in his leadership.

Presidential Returns:

Mahama is unique as the only former president to have lost an election served in opposition, and then regained the presidency through democratic elections, highlighting his resilience and the dynamic nature of Ghanaian politics.

Vice-Presidential Milestone:

- With Prof. Jane Nana Opoku Agyemang as his running mate, Mahama’s administration will break new ground by having the first female Vice President in Ghana, marking a significant step towards gender inclusivity in Ghanaian leadership.

READ: Statistics and Facts about Ghana’s 9th Parliament

10 Records Set by John Mahama up to 2016

The 10 notable records or significant milestones set by John Dramani Mahama up to 2016 in Ghanaian politics:

First Vice President to Assume Presidency After a President’s Death: Mahama became President of Ghana following the death of President John Atta Mills in July 2012. This made him the first Vice President in Ghana’s history to ascend to the presidency under such circumstances.
First Head of State Born Post-Independence: Mahama was the first Ghanaian head of state to be born after Ghana’s independence in 1957.
First President Not to Win a Consecutive Second Term: In the 2016 election, Mahama became the first sitting president in Ghanaian history to lose a re-election bid, not securing a consecutive second term.
Highest Margin of Defeat for a Sitting President: Mahama lost the 2016 election with one of the highest margins of defeat for a sitting president, with 55.6% of the votes going against him.
First President to Serve at All Levels of Political Office: Mahama has served as an assemblyman, parliamentarian, deputy minister, minister, vice president, and president, covering all major levels of political office in Ghana.
First President to Have Held the Sword of the State More Than Once: During his tenure, Mahama was sworn in twice, thus holding the Sword of State, a symbol of executive power in Ghana, twice, which was unprecedented up to that point.
Significant Improvement in Democracy Index: Under Mahama’s presidency, Ghana’s ranking in the Democracy Index improved from 6.02 in 2012 to 6.75 in 2016, elevating its global position from 78th to 54th.
Improvement in Gender Equality: During his term, Ghana improved its global ranking for gender equality from 71st in 2012 to 59th in 2016.
Freedom of the Press Enhancement: Under Mahama, Ghana’s ranking in the Freedom of the Press index moved from 41st in 2012 to 26th in 2016, showcasing an era of relative press freedom.
Lowest Unemployment Rate: Mahama’s administration saw unemployment rates decrease from 3.6% in 2012 to 2.3% in 2016, which was the lowest recorded during his term.

John Dramani Mahama’s political journey from a local leader to the presidency encapsulates a narrative of persistence, democratic engagement, and historical firsts. His records not only reflect personal achievements but also signal a transformative era for Ghanaian politics, potentially reshaping the country’s legislative and social landscape for years to come. As Ghana celebrates another successful democratic transition, Mahama’s leadership sets a high bar for future administrations.