With 'continuity' as his battle cry, President John Dramani Mahama goes into the December 7 polls as presidential candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) very confident of securing re-election.
His strong Christian principles is playing into his campaign as he constantly tells his supporters , "God is on our side, we shall win this election."
Born to a political giant from Northern Ghana ( his father was the Late Emmanuel Adama Mahama who was the first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja Constituency, and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region under President Kwame Nkrumah), Mr Mahama has carved an image for himself as a political heavyweight. rising from a Member of Parliament (MP) to a Deputy Minister, full Minister, Vice President and President.
The President has made the incredible socio-ecomomic infrastructure undertaken by his government, a major campaign message.
From education, to health, sanitation, electricity, water , Information Communication Technology (ICT ) and other areas of national development, President Mahama has touted the achievements of his government.
His argument is that having laid a solid foundation for economic development of the country, it is natural that he is given a second term to put on the superstructure.
His popularity appears to be soaring. Across the country, thousands have poured out to welcome him on his campaign.
On his campaign tours, he stated that the crowds that poured out to meet him far outnumbered what he witnessed in the 2012 election campaign, a testament to his belief that he will win the election in the first round.
His manifesto pledges include the establishment of farmers service centres throughout the country, develop an eco-tourism strategy for the Western wildlife corridor, introduce industrial salt production, caustic salt production and chlorine salt production, and the building of 20 polyclinics in Ashanti, Western, Eastern and Upper East regions.
Mr Mahama is politically crafty in his own style, his communication skills has played well for him in his political life.
Early working life
Before plunging into a career in politics, Mr Mahama worked as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra.
He attributes his strong work ethics partly to the experience he gained from working with the Japanese who believe in hard work.
"The President had never been afraid of hard work himself, but the experience reinforced in his mind the importance of focus and commitment and reflects in his actions, effort and the dynamism that he brings to bear on the Office of the President," the Presidency website, www.presidency.gov.gh, says of him.
After a brief stint with the Embassy of Japan, Mr Mahama joined PLAN International as the International Relations, Sponsorship, Communication and Grants Manager.
Political life
Starting off as Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi Constituency in the Northern Region in 1996, Mr Mahama held various ministerial positions in the Rawlings government.
He had wanted to quit politics after the 2008 general election to pursue further studies abroad when he was picked by the then candidate John Evans Atta Mills to partner him as running mate in the 2008 presidential election, which Prof. Mills won.
Following the passing of President Evans Atta Mills on July 24, 2012. Mr Mahama who was the Vice President then was sworn in as President in the evening of that day, serving the remaining five months of the late Mills’ term.
Mr Mahama won the December 7, 2012 presidential election on the ticket of the NDC with 50.7 per cent of the votes and sworn into office on January 7, 2013.
Education
President Mahama, 58, was born on November 29, 1958.
He attended the Ghana Secondary School in Tamale for Ordinary and Advanced level GCE Certificates and then to the University of Ghana, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 1981.
He had graduate studies in Communication in the University of Ghana's School of Communication Studies, completing in 1986.
Mr Mahama also studied for a Post-graduate Diploma in Social Psychology from the Institute of Social Sciences.
Mr Mahama is a proud family man, married with children to Mrs Lordina Mahama, who has been a strong supporter in his political life.
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