John Dramani Mahama, Ghana
On 7 January 2009, John Dramani Mahama became the Vice President of Ghana, remaining in the post until President John Atta Mills’ untimely death on 24 July 2012, when, in line with Ghana’s Constitution, he became President of the Republic.
In December 2012, he was elected President of Ghana for a four-year term. He thus made political history by becoming the first Ghanaian head of state to have been born after Ghana’s declaration of independence on 6 March 1957.
During his entire life and throughout his political career, President Mahama was a “champion of the underprivileged, fighting for them against all sorts of bullies; a unifier, moving above tribal politics; a strong supporter of public education for all; and a visionary, seeking to transform Ghana in fundamental ways,” according to his website.
President Akufo-Addo defeated Mahama in 2016 when he sought re-election. He’s however not giving up as he’s set to contest the elections again in 2020.
