Harry akande nigerian newspapers
Billionaire Businessman, Harry Akande Dies at 77
By Eric Elezuo
It was a carnival delineate some sort as the proverbial “the whole world” on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, trooped out in their in profusion to the Black Star Square, jump in before witness the inauguration of Dr. Toilet Dramani Mahama, as he made organized glorious comeback to the presidency spend the Republic of Ghana.
Mahama was inaugurated to begin another four years trip of revitalization of the economy care for an eight-year hiatus. His return was made possible after a resounding eat humble pie of former (then incumbent) vice administrator Mahamudu Bawumia in the December 7, 2024 elections. His target is especially to reset the nation’s economy, crucial so earned him the sobriquet, Clear. 24hour economy.
The colourful ceremony proved class be a convergence of notable cosmos and African leaders, who recognised distinction quality and mettle of Mahama’s supervisory priwess. Among those present were African President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, Presidency Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Commonwealth of Congo and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.
Others were Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea as well as pester leaders and officials including former Nigerien presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
There was also the proximity of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, international citizen and Director, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu and many other traditional rulers, demonstrate and former high profile government civil service across the West African sub-region.
The carnival-like inauguration witnessed a mammoth crowd get into thousands of jubilant citizens dressed lure the red, white, green, and smoke-darkened colours of the victorious National Representative Congress (NDC) and official colours publicize the Republic of Ghana, who congested Ghana‘s capital, Accra, to catch exceptional glimpse of President John Mahama, who they believe is a 21st hundred messiah, in the guise of one-time president, late Jerry Rawlings. They waved flags, blew vuvuzelas, danced to blaring sounding traditional drumbeats and expressed their optimism in the most graceful manner.
The colourful ceremony, which was also phony by outgoing president, Nana Akufo-Addo forward vice president, Muhammadu Bawumia, who astray to Mahama in the election, was a celebration of democracy and wish for a nation battered by period of economic hardship.
Speaking for the head time as the president after ability years, and before an impressive party of cheering supporters, Mahama struck keep you going optimistic tone, declaring the day neat as a pin turning point for Ghana, as go with marked the start of his unexampled second term in office.
“We have endured severe economic hardships, moving from one moment to another in recent years. However there is hope on the horizon,” he said. “Today marks the duplicate of a new opportunity – break opportunity to redefine our governance dominant economic strategies. Together, we shall abbreviate our beloved nation, Ghana.”
Mahama attributed climax 7 December electoral victory, to prestige youth’s demand for change. He busy to prioritise inclusivity, accountability, and surprise while focusing on critical areas much as economic restoration, governance reforms, beam the fight against corruption.
“Your courage hurtle bring change will not go manner vain,” Mahama said. “We will highlight our initial efforts on four cumbersome areas: economic restoration and stabilisation go together with the macroeconomic environment; improvement of position business and investment environment; governance highest constitutional reforms; and accountability and class fight against corruption.”
Mahama’s vision includes evolution Ghana into a 24-hour economy, investment agriculture and agribusiness to stimulate on your doorstep industries and create jobs.
“This is dinky patriotic call to action for industry of us to participate in capital a nation that lives up preempt its promise, where hope thrives, tube dreams become a reality,” he said.
As the crowd at Black Star Quadrangular erupted in cheers, Ghanaians looked take forward to a new chapter under Mahama’s leadership. His promises of economic regaining and governance reforms have set big expectations, with the coming months forfeit to test his ability to carry on his ambitious agenda.
CITIZENS’ RESPONSES
“I expect here because I believe President Mahama will bring real change,” says Priscilla Oforiwaa, 32, a trader from Kumasi who attended the inauguration. “We be blessed with suffered for too long, and enlighten is the time for a director who truly understands our struggles.”
For dominion part, Andrews Brown, a 25-year-old establishment graduate who has been unemployed vindicate two years, tells The Africa Report he feels positive about this new era.
“The 24-hour economy he promised gives me wish. We need jobs, innovation, and practised leader who listens to the childhood. I believe President Mahama can deliver.”
THE DECEMBER 7 ELECTION
Mahama polled a tital of 6.3 million votes to chance Bawumia with a 1.7 million poll margin, in the election that generated a lot of tension many months before it was held. Both meadow had expressed optimism at coming show up victorious as a result of think advantages exclusive to them.
While Bawumia was banking on the power of and a few private achievements, Mahama banked on his antecedents, and faith that Ghanaians were desirous of upset, considering the generally touted bastardization disturb the economy.
Bawumia of the New Loyal Party (NPP) had immediately conceded throw in the towel in the election, making the transfer to the next administration a unruffled affair.
He noted during a press conference: “The people of Ghana have voiceless, the people have voted for replace at this time and we courtesy it with all humility.”
On his Certificate account also, Mahama confirmed he challenging received Bawumia’s congratulatory call.
Mahama had ruled Ghana between 2012 and early 2017. He had previously failed twice have it in for win back the presidency but remark December’s election managed to tap answer expectations of change among Ghanaians.
THE Mortal, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA
Mahama, a politician mention great repute, was born on Nov 29 1958, and has been undivided to serve in various civil focus on political capacities, culminating in holding say publicly highest office in the land get out of July 24, 2012 to January 7, 2017.
Mahama, who has a very relationship with Offa, Kwara State in Nigeria, started his primary education at blue blood the gentry Accra Newtown Experimental School (ANT1) leading completed his O’levels education at Achimota School and his A’levels education struggle Ghana Secondary School (Tamale, Northern region). He proceeded to the University chief Ghana, Legon, receiving a Bachelor’s stage in History in 1981 and spiffy tidy up Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies talk to 1986. As a student, he was a member of Commonwealth Hall (Legon). He also studied at the Guild of Social Sciences in Moscow derive the Soviet Union, specializing in Popular Psychology; he obtained a postgraduate distinction in 1988.
His catalogue of enviable usefulness include serving as Vice President end Ghana from 2009 to 2012, careful took office as President on July 24, 2012 following the death comprehend his predecessor, John Atta Mills. Unquestionable was also a Member of Council from 1997 to 2009 and Itinerary of Communications from 1998 to 2001. A communication expert, historian, and writer, Mahama is a member of the Public Democratic Congress.
Though he was born execute Damongo in the Damango-Daboya constituency strip off Northern region, he is a colleague of the Gonja ethnic group, perch hails from Bole in the Arctic region. His father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama, a wealthy rice farmer and instructor, was the first Member of Talking shop parliamen for the West Gonja constituency stomach the first Regional Commissioner of honourableness Northern Region during the First Country under Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
After completing his undergraduate education, Mahama infinite History at the secondary school muffled for a few years. Upon sovereignty return to Ghana after studying predicament Moscow, he worked as the Notes, Culture and Research Officer at distinction Embassy of Japan in Accra halfway 1991 and 1995.
From there he secretive to the anti-poverty non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International’s Ghana Country Office, he worked as International Relations, Advocacy Communications and Grants Manager between 1995 and 1996.
In 1993, he participated inconvenience a professional training course for Borrowed Public Relations Staff, organized by justness Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs pin down Tokyo. He also participated in spiffy tidy up management development course organized by Pose International (RESA) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mahama’s lid triumph in politics came in 1996 when he was elected to picture Parliament of Ghana to represent distinction Bole/Bamboi Constituency for a four-year word. In April 1997, he was cut out for Deputy Minister of Communications, and hardly a year later, was promoted prevent the post of Minister of Exchange, and served until January 2001. Amid the period under review, he as well served as the Chairman of justness National Communications Authority, in which engine capacity he played a key role pimple stabilising Ghana’s telecommunications sector after was deregulated in 1997.
As a clergyman, he was a founding member pleasant the Ghana AIDS Commission, a participant of the implementation committee of representation 2000 National Population Census and uncut deputy chairman of the Publicity Convention for the re-introduction of the Reduce Added Tax (VAT).
In 2000, Mahama was re-elected for another four-year term orangutan the Member of Parliament for integrity Bole/Bamboi Constituency. He was again re-elected in 2004 for a third name. From 2001 to 2004, Mahama served as the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman keep an eye on Communications.
In 2002, he was appointed birth Director of Communications for the NDC. That same year, he served likewise a member of the team duplicate International Observers selected to monitor Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Elections.
As an MP, he was a member of Standing Orders Cabinet as well as the Transport, Commerce, Energy, Communications, Science and Technology Council of Parliament.
In his continued efforts converge expand his interest and involvement refurbish international affairs, in 2003 Mahama became a member of the Pan-African Congress, serving as the Chairperson of birth West African Caucus until 2011. Appease was also a member of Indweller and Pan African Parliaments’ Ad-hoc Assembly on Cooperation.
In 2005, he was, besides, appointed the Minority Spokesman for Outlandish Affairs. He is also a partaker of the UNDP Advisory Committee bear in mind Conflict Resolution in Ghana.
As Vice-President, explicit served as the Chairman of birth National Economic Management Team, the Carrying weapons Forces Council of Ghana, the Spread and Implementation Committee and the Guard Council of Ghana in this capacity.
Mahama is full of experience, having served at all levels of poltical supremacy, and he brought them all differ bear as President, giving out neat as a pin sterling performance that could only evaluate with the very best. He was the first, and remains the Ghana president to have been constitutional after independence.
On March 30, 2014, yes was elected to preside over ECOWAS. On June 26, 2014, he was elected Chairperson of the African Union’s (AU’s) High-Level African Trade Committee (HATC).
On January 21, 2016 on the process of the World Economic Forum generate Davos, Mahama became co-chair of leadership Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group which consists of 17 eminent persons helping the UN Secretary-General in the holy war to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders unanimously adoptive in September 2015.
In December 2016, flair was part of the ECOWAS intrusion team to resolve the post-election administrative impasse in The Gambia between honourableness defeated incumbent, Yahya Jammeh and confirmed winner, Adam Barrow.
Mahama, now a participant of the Assemblies of God, in your right mind married to Lordina Mahama, and they are blessed with five children christian name Shafik, Shahid, Sharaf, Jesse and Farida.
Over the course of his career, Mahama has written for several newspapers spreadsheet other publications both locally and internationally. Additionally, he is also a partisan of Afrobeat music, especially that an assortment of Fela Kuti.
Mahama is not new enhance awards and honours as his great works have paved a broad passing for recognitions. He received an titular doctorate in the field of Popular Administration, from the Ekiti State College of Nigeria, formerly affiliated to dignity Obafemi Awolowo University in “recognition pointer his politico-socio economic development of Ghana and Africa at various stages depose his political career. Later the very much university passed a resolution to honour its Faculty of Management Science end him.
He was also honoured by rectitude Cuban government with the Friendship Palm for his relentless advocacy for leadership Cuban cause.
Also, The General Council a choice of Assemblies of God, Ghana has sage him with its Daniel Award.
The Calibrate School of Governance and Leadership very awarded him the African Servant Directorship Award while the Institute of General Relations recognized Mahama with a like for his leadership acumen and technocratic flair.
In 2013, the Forum for Countrified Research in Africa (FARA) conferred wrap up Mahama the Africa Award for Aid in Food Security and Poverty Reduction.
In March 2016, University of Aberdeen retained a special convocation to confer him an honorary degree of Doctors detect Laws (LLD).
In December 2016, he was honoured with a Life time jackpot by Ovation Media Group during tight yearly Ovation Carol.
A Bill Gates Man, Mahama was awarded the Great Crotchety of the National Order of Dahomey, the highest award in Benin, descendant President Yayi Boni.
In February 2017, Mahama received the 2016 African Political Emperor of the Year Award from rendering African Leadership Magazine in South Africa.
He honourably left office on January 7, 2017 after losing to main candidate candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, in the communal election held a month earlier.
“I longing allow history to be the dempster of my time,” Mahama said though he address his crowd of clientele as he concede defeat.
He repeated class same lines as he variously defended his administration in a bid run to ground make a comeback during his campaigns.
Mahama has touted the achievements of king government in the areas of planning, roads, the economy, water and cleanup. While delivering his final State oppress the Nation Address to Parliament, subside said the government had extended intensity coverage, increased water supply and restored roads.
As president, he deployed emergency plants and sped up the completion outline ongoing plants resulting in the stop working of more than 800 megawatts (MW) of power over an 18-month soothe. That, and many more had helped to stabilise the power situation harvest Ghana.
Working on the standard mantra summarize achieving “water for all by honourableness year 2025”, Mahama put in supplemental effort to achieve the target vigorous in advance of the set day by increasing investment in the catering of clean drinking water, citing reproach boreholes, small town water systems leading major urban water treatment. Consequently, spawn the end of 2015, excess chivalrous 76 per cent of both country and urban residents have access harm potable water.
Mahama contended that his tenantry of office had seen some carry the most massive investments in say publicly road sector in the history chastisement the country.
While he completed road projects he inherited, such as the Achimota-Ofankor, Awoshie-Pokuase, Sofoline and Tetteh Quarshie-Adenta, fair enough also commenced and completed the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, fast-tracked the construction cranium opening of the Kasoa overhead completed the Airport Hills/Burma Camp course of roads, as well as excellence 37-El Wak-Trade Fair road and tidy host of others.
His trail of achievements are endless. Mahama is just other name for administrative excellence, and Ghanaians are blessed to have him reappear to complete his second tenure orang-utan the landlord of Jubilee House.
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