John Mahama turns 59 today

Former president, John Dramani Mahama, has turned 59. The birthday of John Dramani Mahama will see best wishes pour out from far and near.

John Mahama remains the only political figure under the 4th republic who was led to the seat of government by unfortunate circumstances. The death of former president, John Evans Atta Mills in 2012 opened the doors and burden of the presidency to John Mahama as he, by unfortunate circumstances, got sworn to office on the 24th of July 2012 as president of Ghana.

John Mahama's political dream never ended there. With barely five months to a knife-edged election, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was under pressure to find the perfect candidate. This perfect candidate was supposed to meet the then presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo boot for boot and John Mahama was the only bet for the game.

The elections were very keenly fought as John Mahama won by 50.63% as against Akufo-Addo who got 47.81%.

The Mahama administration was able to handle the mantle left by their great leader, John Mills. But things started getting challenging as the power crisis, known today as "dumsor" darkened not only the economic market of Ghana but also Mahama's administration.

There have been challenges but the Mahama led administration held fast to do their best which was never enough following his defeat in 2016 general election. This staggering election saw Mahama become the first ever one-term president under Ghana's 4th republic.

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh takes you through some history and facts about Mahama that we barely know of.

1. JDM is a historian and communication expert by profession Before venturing into politics, John Mahama worked as a historian and later as the information, culture and research officer for the Japanese embassy in Accra.

2. He has served on every level of governance. John Mahama is the only Ghanaian president to have served at all levels of political office ( MP, Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice-President and President).

3. Mahama was one of the socially savvy presidents Ghana has ever had The former president is one of the most followed leaders on social media. His love for technology, communication and social media is obvious of his numerous social media accounts.

4. He has a lot of pastimes including farming The president is a farmer, taking the footsteps of his rice farmer/MP father. The president is also a writer who has authored a book and was a regular columnist in the Daily Graphic, Ebony, Huffington Post, Louisville Courier-Journal, New York Times and TheRoot.com.

After a defeating general election in 2016, Mahama is just not backing down. The former president has always kept himself busy on both local and international platforms. He oversaw elections in Kenya and Sierra Leone just recently.

John Mahama has also embarked on various political lectures in the UN and also in Havard. Back home, the suspicions of Mahama contesting the 2020 polls are very high. This follows a unilateral approval of the ex-president by all ten regional chairmen of the NDC. These chairmen insist on Mahama running for president saying it is the cry of most party executives and supporters.

The unity walks by Mahama has also seen him flex some campaign muscles as he continuously hit hard at government on its policies and agenda. As John Dramani Mahama celebrates his 58th birthday, YEN.com.gh joins the rest of Ghanaians to say; Happy Birthday!

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