Profile of John Mahama, perennial presidential candidate as Ghana readies to vote

Record ID: 1877219

  • Title: Profile of John Mahama, perennial presidential candidate as Ghana readies to vote
  • Date: 5th December 2024
  • Summary: Ghana's former president John Dramani Mahama, who has experienced both the pinnacle of power and the sting of electoral defeat, is making his fourth consecutive bid for the presidency in 2024, facing off against his longtime rival's deputy in a race that could reshape the West African nation's political landscape. Public frustration over Ghana's economic travails, including high prices and a dearth of jobs, has dominated the run-up to Saturday's (December 7) general election, which will likely test the nation's longstanding democratic credentials. Mahama, 66, is seen by polls as favourite to win the election given a severe economic crisis that has made the current government unpopular. Mahama, born in 1958 in Damongo, Ghana, entered national politics as a member of parliament in 1996. He rose to prominence when selected as running mate to John Atta Mills, becoming vice president in 2009. ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - MARCH 28, 2012) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXHIBITION SIGN READING (English): "WE REWARD CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION, GHANA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION" THEN-VICE PRESIDENT OF GHANA, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, LOOKING AT EXHIBITION ITEMS MODEL OF OIL FACILITY MAHAMA AND ENTOURAGE LEAVING ROOM WINNEBA, GHANA (FILE - MAY 19, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CROWD OF WARRIORS WALKING DURING CULTURAL CEREMONY MAHAMA SHAKING HANDS WITH CHIEF QUEENMOTHERS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) THEN-VICE PRESIDENT OF GHANA, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, SAYING: "Ladies and gentleman, this is an election year and we are going to go to the polls, I urge all of you to do it in peace and unity and to vote wisely." On July 24, 2012, Mahama unexpectedly ascended to the presidency following Mills' sudden death. He was sworn in hours after the announcement, becoming Ghana's fourth president of the Fourth Republic. ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - JULY 24, 2012) (REUTERS) GHANA PARLIAMENT INTERIOR MEDIA MAHAMA BEING SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT FOLLOWING DEATH OF SUCCESSOR, JOHN ANTA MILLS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WEARING RED BANDANAS IN SIGN OF MOURNING VARIOUS OF MAHAMA RAISING CEREMONIAL 'SWORD OF HONOUR' POLICE MARCHING BAND (SOUNDBITE) (English) THEN-PRESIDENT OF GHANA, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, SAYING: "This is the saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed our nation and we are deeply saddened and distraught. I never imagined that one day I would address our nation in such difficult circumstances. I'm personally devastated. I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, I've lost a mentor and a senior comrade." ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - AUGUST 9, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LARGE CROWD OF MOURNERS IN FRONT OF STATE HOUSE WOMAN IN QUEUE WEARING BADGE WITH PHOTO OF MILLS POLICE PUSHING BACK CROWD WOMAN LEANING ON BARRICADE ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - NOVEMBER 7, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SECURITY OFFICER BRIEFING MAHAMA NEAR SITE OF COLLAPSED BUILDING CROWD AROUND COLLAPSED BUILDING SITE MAHAMA SPEAKING TO SECURITY OFFICER / IN CROWD Mahama won a formal election in December 2012, securing 50.7% of the vote against opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo's 47.7%, amid controversy and a Supreme Court challenge. ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - NOVEMBER 22, 2012) (REUTERS) DEBATE HALL WITH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARRIVING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SITTING DOWN MAHAMA, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC), AND ABU SAKARA FOSTER, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR CONVENTION PEOPLE PARTY (CPP), SITTING HASSAN AYARIGA, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF PEOPLE CONVENTION PARTY (PCP), AND NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, THEN-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP), SITTING AUDIENCE CANDIDATES SHAKING HANDS VARIOUS OF MAHAMA LEAVING ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - DECEMBER 5, 2012) (REUTERS) BILLBOARD WITH PICTURE OF MAHAMA READING (English): "ACCESSIBLE, DECISIVE AND ACTION DRIVEN" CROWD AT MAHAMA ELECTION RALLY MAHAMA HIS WIFE, LORDINA MAHAMA, WAVING TO PARTY SUPPORTERS HAND HOLDING PICTURE OF LATE PRESIDENT MILLS POSTER READING (English): "THE LEGACY OF THE JOHNS CONTINUES" ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - DECEMBER 7, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LINING UP TO VOTE MAN RECEIVING BALLOT PAPER FROM POLLING ASSISTANT VERIFICATION MACHINE SCANNING HAND BEFORE VOTING BALLOT PAPER WITH PICTURES OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WOMAN VOTING PEOPLE IN LINE WOMAN VOTING ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - DECEMBER 9, 2012) (REUTERS) CONFERENCE ROOM THEN-CHAIRMAN OF GHANA'S ELECTORAL COMMISSION, KWADWO AFARI-DJAN, SITTING DOWN POLICE IN AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) THEN-CHAIRMAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, KWADWO AFARI-GYAN, SAYING: "Ladies and gentlemen, based on the results given, I declare John Dramani Mahama President elect, thank you." PEOPLE CLAPPING ACCRA, GHANA (FILE - JANUARY 7, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BLACK STAR SQUARE INDEPENDENCE ARC INAUGURATION CEREMONY AUDIENCE MAHAMA, IN WHITE, TAKING SEAT ON STAGE AUDIENCE CHEERING MAHAMA RAISING CEREMONIAL 'SWORD OF HONOUR' AUDIENCE CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 19th December 2024 06:57
  • Keywords: accra africa cocoa diplomacy elections emerging foreign ghana gold government industry lawmakers markets mining oil people policy politics presidents profiles voting west
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: Ghana
  • Topics: Africa,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001218725112024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: SCRIPTING DETAILS IN SHOTLIST
    (Production: Cooper Inveen)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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