President John Mahama said he has a lot of respect for his heir at the presidency Nana Akufo-Addo.
Delivering his last State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, President Mahama recalled the moments they both enjoyed in the lawmaking chamber, spanning over 12 years.
“Given our history, especially that we have each had our turn on each side of a presidential election, it would seem only natural for us to be considered opponents- worthy opponents is the description generally used in the world of sports,” President Mahama said.
“I first entered this house as MP for Bole Bamboi in January 1997. It was, perhaps not coincidentally, the same year that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo entered as MP for Akyem Abuakwa.
“Taking breaks from the business of the house to grab something to eat at the snack bar, Nana Addo always stood at the end of the counter, his signature white handkerchief tucked into his sleeve. “Johnny” he would shout in greeting as he preferred to call me. Incidentally we both served three terms in this house, departing together in January 2009,” Mahama opined.
He added: “This is how long I have known the president-elect and worked with him. I have the utmost respect for him.
“In fact, Mr. Speaker, we are all on the same team. We worked together when I served as Ranking member on the Committee of Foreign Affairs at a time Nana Addo was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.”
“It is instructive that as I leave office and he takes my place, Gambia once again is a nation that is engaging international attention.”
“I wish him all success in this regard. As I have said many times already, regardless of whose tenure in which these visions come to fruition, its success belongs to Ghana. They belong to all of us.”
