Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his Christmas-season visit to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, describing it as a rare and commendable gesture that reflects a broader reset of Ghana’s political culture.
According to Dr. Apaak, the visit represents a significant moment in Ghana’s political history, given the uncommon nature of a sitting president paying a social call on a former president from a different political tradition.
“Most commendable,” Dr. Apaak wrote in a post on his official Facebook page. “It is very rare for a sitting President to pay a social visit to a former President from a different political stock. Indeed, H.E. John Dramani Mahama is resetting every aspect of the Ghanaian narrative — social, economic and political. He is not just a legacy President; he is a living legend.”
President Mahama later confirmed the visit in a post on X, explaining that he had called on former President Kufuor to convey Christmas-season goodwill to him and his family. The interaction, he noted, was in the spirit of respect and national unity.
The visit has been widely interpreted as a display of mutual respect between two leaders who, despite belonging to different political traditions, have maintained cordial relations over the years.
Former President Kufuor served as Ghana’s second President under the Fourth Republic from 2001 to 2009. He later handed over power to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, under whose administration President Mahama served as Vice President before eventually ascending to the presidency.
Observers note that the relationship between President Mahama and former President Kufuor has long been characterised by goodwill. Earlier in 2025, former President Kufuor visited President Mahama to express solidarity following a national tragedy — a gesture many now see as mirroring the same spirit reflected in the recent Christmas-season visit.
The latest interaction has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Ghanaians praising it as a positive signal of unity beyond partisan politics. Some users described it as “a fitting way to end the year,” while others said it sets a strong example for political leaders and younger generations.
Dr. Apaak’s remarks have further amplified public discussion around the visit, reinforcing the view that it carries symbolic importance at a time when political discourse in the country remains highly polarised.
Overall, the visit has been welcomed by many as a reminder of the value of mutual respect, political maturity, and national cohesion in Ghana’s democratic journey.
By Daniel Opoku
