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Overview
John Dramani Mahama
John Dramani Mahama is a Ghanaian politician who served as President of Ghana from 24 July 2012 to 7 January 2017. He previously served as Vice President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012, and took office as president on 24 July 2012 following the death of his predecessor John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills.
29September
1958
29 September 1958
Born
He was born on November 29, 1958, in Damongo, in what is now the Savanna Region of Ghana
28June
1970
28 June 1970
Early years
John Dramani Mahama, a member of the Gonja ethnic group, was born in Damongo, Ghana, into a political family and received his education at various institutions including the University of Ghana, Legon, and the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow, specializing in social psychology.
28June
1991
28 June 1991
Early career
After his time as a secondary school history teacher, Mahama worked in various roles, including as an Information, Culture, and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra, as well as in the International Relations, Sponsorship Communications, and Grants Manager position at Plan International's Ghana Country Office, gaining valuable experience in international relations and development work.
28June
2012
28 June 2012
Books
Mahama's memoir, titled "My First Coup d'État: Memories from the Lost Decades of Africa," published in 2012, reflects on his privileged upbringing, the impact of Ghana's political history, and the awakening of his consciousness following the ousting of President Kwame Nkrumah in a military coup.
28June
2023
28 June 2023
Political appointments
John Dramani Mahama served as a Member of Parliament in Ghana, holding various positions such as Deputy Minister of Communications and Minister of Communications, and later became the Vice-President and then President of Ghana, making history as the first Ghanaian head of state born after independence; he also contested in subsequent presidential elections, including in 2020 and 2024.
28June
2023
28 June 2023
Personal life and interests
John Dramani Mahama is married to Lordina Mahama and has five children; he is a Christian and a member of the Assemblies of God, with a multi-faith family. He has a strong interest in sustainability, particularly addressing plastic waste pollution, and has written for various publications, spoken at conferences, and is passionate about agriculture and technology's role in economic transformation. Additionally, he enjoys Afrobeat music, is a fan of motor biking, and is the elder brother of businessman Ibrahim Mahama.
28June
2023
28 June 2023
Honours and awards
Mahama has received numerous honors and awards throughout his political career, including an honorary doctorate, the Friendship Medal from the Cuban government, the Daniel Award from the General Council of Assemblies of God, the African Servant Leadership Award, the Africa Award for Excellence in Food Security and Poverty Reduction, and the 2016 African Political Leader of the Year Award, among others. Additionally, he has attended conferences, won fellowships, and received special recognitions such as the Global Leadership and Economic Impact Award from Liberty University.
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