Ghanaian photojournalist, Pious Ali

Ghanaian photojournalist, Pious Ali with the defunct People and Places newspaper, known as P and P, has shared his remarkable journey in the United States of America (USA), detailing his rise in community leadership and politics since moving abroad in search of greener pastures.

In an exclusive interview with Classfmonline.com, Ali recounted how his work in community building, leadership, and education paved the way for his entry into U.S. politics.

According to him, he made history in 2013 when he was elected to the School Board of the City of Maine, making him the first Ghanaian to be elected to public office in the U.S.

He also became the first African Muslim to achieve such a milestone in the state.

“My election to the school board was a turning point, as it allowed me to contribute to shaping the education system in my community,” he said.

Building on his political journey, Ali contested and won the position of Assistant Councilor in 2016.

His passion for leadership and public service later led him to run for Mayor in 2023, though he was unsuccessful in that bid.

Despite this, his vast institutional knowledge and leadership experience earned him a place as a City Councilor, and he was later appointed Standby Mayor.

Explaining his role, Ali stated that a Standby Mayor is responsible for taking over the duties of the Mayor in the event that the elected Mayor is unable to perform their responsibilities as required by law.

“Being a Standby Mayor means stepping in when needed to ensure continuity in leadership and governance,” he explained.

Ali’s story highlights the growing influence of Ghanaians in diaspora politics and serves as an inspiration for others seeking to make a difference in their communities abroad.

Profile

A dedicated public servant, an assertive and pragmatic leader with a diversified skill set in community organizing, activism, and civic engagement, Pious is the founding Director of Portland-based Portland Empowered a program that creates opportunities for Students and families to engage their school and work with them to create an equitable learning environment through Racial Equity Lense.

He’s worked as a Youth and Community Engagement Specialist at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service (Portland Empowered) and has spent the better part of his career focused on community engagement.

He has created a meaningful and ongoing dialogue across cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and faith-based barriers.

Prior to joining the Muskie School, Pious worked with the city of Portland’s refugee services and spent many summers working as a facilitator for Seeds of Peace, a summer programme which builds relationships and leadership skills among youth from regions of conflict.

He also worked as a site coordinator for the Peer Leader Programme at what is now the Opportunity Alliance in Portland, Maine, and as an Education and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Portland branch of the NAACP.

Ali is the first African-born Muslim American to be elected to a public office in Maine, becoming a member of the city’s elected Board of Public Education in 2013.

He also founded the erstwhile Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance and Co-founded the King Fellows, a Portland-based youth group dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for youth through leadership and civic engagement based on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ali is an alumnus of the Institute for Civic Leadership (known as Lift360), and in 2015 he was named Lift360’s Most Distinguished Alumnus.

He’s received other recognition for his work including the Gerda Haas Award for Excellence in Holocaust and Human Rights Education & Leadership in 2017 by the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, and The Watering Can Award in 2019 from Maine Initiatives. Pious has served and continues to serve on many advisory groups and boards of directors, including Rippleffect, YMCA of Southern Maine, Greater Portland METRO, and the Greater Portland Council of Governments

A native of Ghana, Pious worked as a photojournalist for a range of print publications.

He migrated to the United States of America, first to New York City, and has called Maine his home since 2002 where he lives with his two children.

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President Mahama used the Dzata private jet for his official travels

Security analyst Anthony Acquaye has criticised those attacking President John Dramani Mahama for traveling in his brother’s private jet instead of the official presidential jet.

In a release dated January 18, 2025, Acquaye explained that the decision made by President Mahama to use a privately owned jet was ‘driven by a commitment to ensuring his own safety and, by extension, the security and stability of Ghana’.

While acknowledging the critics’ concerns, the security analyst mentioned several factors that might have influenced the president’s decision to use his brother’s private jet.

He suggested that, since no official confirmation regarding the full operational readiness, security, and technical assessment had been provided by the relevant authorities, the use of the presidential jet could have potentially compromised the president’s security.

“… As against the reality that the military squadron in charge of the presidential jet has not provided an official confirmation of its full operational readiness, when in such circumstances, using the presidential jet would have introduced significant security and operational risks, potentially leading to disastrous consequences for both President Mahama and Ghana as a whole.

“It is crucial for critics to understand that in matters of national security, particularly on the safety of the first gentleman of the land, no risks should be entertained. Therefore, any decision involving the presidential jet, which is an extremely valuable national asset, requires rigorous security, intelligence, and technical assessment. This is a standard procedure to ensure the aircraft’s full readiness before any mission. Any absence of such clearance would make it reckless and irresponsible to fly in the presidential jet, as it would expose the president to potential threats,” he explained.

He also pointed out that no official communication has been provided regarding an updated airworthiness report, further justifying Mahama’s decision.

Acquaye added, “it is also important for critics to recognize that flying the presidential jet without an updated airworthiness report would violate established aviation safety protocols. Such a violation dramatically increases the risk of an in-flight emergency, whether due to mechanical failure or other unforeseen issues. This is a situation that no responsible government or leader would ever entertain, as the consequences could be far-reaching and catastrophic.”

He continued, “In light of these considerations, it is clear that President Mahama’s decision to use his brother’s private jet instead of the official presidential aircraft was driven by a commitment to ensuring his own safety and, by extension, the security and stability of Ghana. Any criticism of this decision that fails to take these critical factors into account is not only misplaced but also shows a lack of understanding of the complex security risks involved. The decision to use an alternative aircraft with a confirmed security clearance was a necessary and responsible step in safeguarding national interests and ensuring the President’s safety.”

Acquaye urged the president’s critics to prioritise his safety and that of the nation, emphasising that any disaster could impact the stability and governance of the country, and to set aside political considerations.

MAG/EK

Meanwhile, watch as John Mahama assures Ghanaians to be decisive and swift in his actions