By Iddi Yire
Accra, June 3, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has recounted the pivotal role Otumfuo Osei Tutu, the Asantehene, played leading to his acceptance to partner Professor John Evans Atta Mills in the 2008 general election.
Prof Mills, who was the flagbearer of the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his running mate Mr Mahama, subsequently, led their Party to victory in the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary election.
President Mahama made the revelation during a courtesy call on him by Otumfuo Osei Tutu at the Presidency in Accra.
The Otumfuo and his retinue were at the Presidency to congratulate President Mahama on his election victory in the December 7, 2024, general election and to return the President’s visit to Manhyia within the first two weeks of his assumption of office.
Recounting the circumstances leading to his acceptance to partner the candidate Mills in the 2008 general election, President Mahama said the first time, Professor Mills sent Mr Kwasi Sainti Baffoe-Bonnie of blessed memory, and a team to inform him that Mills wanted him as his running mate.
“And at that time, I had made my plans to leave politics. So, my response was, no, I won’t do it. So later he sent (Mr) Ato Ahwoi, (Mr) Totobi Kwakye and (Mr) Kwamena (Ahwoi) to come and ask me to accept to be his running mate. Again, I said no,” President Mahama said.
“And so, one day, I was in Accra, I got a call. He says, Otumfuo wants you in Mahyia. Who am I to refuse? So, I got up and went. And when I went, he (Otumfuo) said, hey, you are the one when Professor Mills says come and be his running mate and become a Vice President and you said no. Hey, you lie. He says, when your country calls you, you can’t refuse.”
“He (Otumfuo) says, I was sitting in London somewhere, and my kingdom called me to come and be with Otumfuo. You think I don’t want to enjoy the free life that is out there. I had to do it, so you cannot refuse.
“So, he (Otumfuo) said, okay, I’m going to South Africa, I’m going to meet President Mills. When I come to Accra, I want your response, because I promised him, I’ll bring your response.
“So, when Otumfuo came to Accra, when Otumfuo makes a request, who are you to refuse? So, when he came to Accra, I went to him, and he said, yes, have you made up your mind? And I said, yes, I’ve made my mind, but tell Professor Mills I’ll do it for only one term. And then Nana said, even if you do it for only one day, we’ll accept it.”
President Mahama reiterated that Otumfuo was instrumental in him becoming Professor Mills’ running mate and they went on to win the 2008 general election, adding that everything else was history.
He expressed gratitude to the Otumfuo; saying “So, Your Majesty, thank you very much. And I appreciate your friendship”.
The President also thanked the Otumfuo for the instrumental role he played in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) extended credit facility for Ghana during his tenure as the Vice President.
On his part, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu hailed President Mahama for his humility, and he further urged him to keep on being humble.
He urged President Mahama to be bold and do what he could to fulfill the mandate that the people of Ghana gave him.
The Otumfuo advised the President’s appointees to uphold integrity and to put the nation first in their service.
He urged them to emulate the President’s humility, avoid complacency, and focus on their responsibilities.
Present at the meeting was Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie