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President Mahama Shares Humbling Journey to Life in a Residential Estate After 2016 Defeat

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President John Mahama. Image credit: John Dramani Mahama on Facebook

President John Dramani Mahama has recounted a deeply personal and humbling chapter of his life, revealing how he came to live at Chain Homes following his electoral defeat in 2016.

He made the revelation during the estate’s End-of-Year Thanksgiving and Carols Night held recently.

Speaking candidly to residents and guests, Mahama described the period after losing national elections as one of uncertainty and emotional strain, disclosing that what appeared to be a personal low point ultimately led to an unexpected sense of belonging and community.

From Electoral Defeat to Housing Uncertainty

Mahama explained that after leaving office, he and his wife, Lordina Mahama, found themselves without immediate accommodation. Although protocol provided that a former president would be housed by the state, practical realities complicated matters.

The couple had earlier built a modest family home, but it had been rented out to foreign tenants and was unsuitable for hosting official visitors. Attempts to secure rental accommodation elsewhere were repeatedly frustrated, with landlords withdrawing offers after discovering his identity as a former president who had just lost an election.

“We were homeless,” Mahama said, recalling how several potential rentals fell through — even after rent had been paid and receipts issued — once landlords realized who he was.

An Unlikely Refuge Becomes Home

Mahama said Chain Homes was the last place he ever imagined living. He recalled visiting the area years earlier as Vice President, when it was largely undeveloped, with cattle grazing freely and limited road access.

That perception changed years later when infrastructure improvements transformed the area. While still searching for a place to live, the couple was directed to Chain Homes, where a privately owned house had been made available for rent through the estate’s management.

With few options left, they accepted the offer. “It wasn’t about whether we liked it,” Mahama said. “We had no choice.”

Finding Community and Friendship

Upon moving into the estate, Mahama said he was warmly received by neighbours, including former colleagues and long-time acquaintances. He recalled personally visiting homes to introduce himself and strengthen ties within the community.

What began as a temporary refuge gradually evolved into a permanent home after estate residents encouraged the family to settle fully within the development. Mahama said he was later granted land within the estate, cementing his place in the neighbourhood.

He joked that some residents believe the estate belongs to him, drawing laughter as he quipped that anyone who bought property there without paying him should “ask for a refund.”

Life Under Security — and Good-Natured Neighbours

Mahama also shared a light-hearted anecdote about heightened security following his return to the presidency, when armoured vehicles were deployed around his residence.

While he initially worried the presence would inconvenience neighbours, one resident reportedly welcomed the added security, joking that it conveniently discouraged unwanted visitors.

A Message of Gratitude and Reflection

Closing his remarks, Mahama thanked residents for their patience and neighbourliness, acknowledging that his public responsibilities often keep him away on weekends. He encouraged greater community engagement and praised the estate for organising the gathering, noting it was his first visit to the community centre.

“It’s good to come together as neighbours,” he said. “And I hope this won’t be the last time.”

Ghana News

Ex-President Akufo-Addo and President Mahama Exchange Pleasantries on Easter

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Kwahu, Ghana – Former President Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026, while both leaders were in the Kwahu enclave for the annual Easter celebrations.

The meeting took place as President Mahama participated in activities linked to the Kwahu Business Forum, a major event held alongside the Easter festivities.

Akufo-Addo, who has maintained a nearly two-decade tradition of spending Easter in Kwahu, described the visit as a cordial engagement during the sacred period.

In a Facebook post, the former president wrote: “On the Holy Saturday of Easter, while in Kwahu where for almost two decades I have consecutively visited during the sacred period of Easter, I called on the President of the Republic, H. E. John Dramani Mahama who is also in Kwahu.”

The encounter highlights a moment of peaceful political civility between the current and immediate past leaders of Ghana amid the festive season. No further details about the substance of their discussion were made public.

The visit comes at a time when both leaders are actively involved in national and regional development conversations, with Mahama using the Kwahu platform to engage stakeholders on economic matters.

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Ghana News

Mahama Calls Christ’s Birthplace an ‘Epicentre of War’, New Airport Concourse Planned and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

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We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from Ghana to keep you informed.

‘It’s Painful Christ’s Birthplace Now an Epicentre of War’ – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has described the ongoing violence in the Middle East as a “painful irony,” noting that the birthplace of Christianity and the land where Christ preached love, forgiveness, and peace has become a major centre of conflict. In his Easter message delivered at Black Star Square on April 3, 2026, Mahama said the suffering in the Holy Land cannot be ignored during the season of Easter. He extended Ghana’s thoughts and prayers to the people of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, and the wider Middle East region, urging world leaders to embrace restraint, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.
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Gov’t to Construct New Concourse at Accra International Airport to Ease Congestion
The Ghana Airports Company Limited will begin construction this month on an ultra-modern concourse linking Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Kotoka International Airport. The project aims to eliminate current operational bottlenecks, enable seamless passenger transfers, and significantly improve hub efficiency. Key features include five additional passenger boarding bridges, five passenger holding areas, bi-directional travelators, new escalators and elevators, a VIP lounge, four business lounges, and four retail and duty-free pods. The expansion forms part of a broader modernisation drive to provide world-class facilities and strengthen Ghana’s position as a competitive aviation hub in West Africa.
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Gov’t Procures Over 24,000 Medical Equipment to Support Free Primary Healthcare Rollout
The Ghanaian government has acquired 24,534 pieces of medical equipment to strengthen health facilities ahead of the nationwide rollout of its free primary healthcare policy. The consignment, inspected by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, includes baby incubators, radiant warmers, oxygen concentrators, X-ray machines, ultrasound devices, laboratory analysers, vital signs monitors, glucometers, patient monitors, infusion devices, delivery beds, and hospital beds. The equipment will be distributed across government hospitals to improve diagnostics, newborn care, and overall service delivery at the primary level.
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Ghana to Manufacture First Vaccine with Support from Indonesia
Ghana is set to begin local production of its first vaccine with technical and partnership support from the Indonesian government. Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Ghana, Paskal A B Rois, confirmed that a high-level delegation from Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute, Food and Drugs Authority, and GIZ visited Indonesia late last year to finalise arrangements. Once operational, Ghana will become the third African country — after Senegal and South Africa — to manufacture vaccines domestically. The initiative is expected to enhance the country’s health security and reduce dependence on imported vaccines.
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No Business Thrives Without Trust in Justice System — Chief Justice
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has emphasised that trust in the judicial system is essential for business growth and investor confidence in Ghana. Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on April 4, 2026, he stated that contracts must be honoured, property protected, and disputes resolved fairly and predictably for any economy to flourish. The Chief Justice announced that the judiciary is repositioning itself to become an active partner in creating a business-friendly environment anchored in the rule of law. He warned that delays and uncertainty in the justice system carry real economic costs by discouraging investment.
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Ghana News

Ghana President Convenes Emergency Cabinet Meeting to Cushion Ghanaians from Soaring Fuel Prices

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President John Dramani Mahama has convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the sharp rise in fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the escalation involving Iran.

Speaking on Saturday, April 4, 2026, during the second day of the Kwahu Business Forum, President Mahama stated that the meeting will focus on practical interventions to ease the burden on citizens.

He specifically mentioned the possibility of adjustments in fuel margins and other components of the price build-up to help keep prices relatively stable while hoping for de-escalation of the conflict.

“I have called for this emergency cabinet meeting to decide on specific measures we can take to cushion petroleum prices,” Mahama said. “There are adjustments we can make, particularly in the margins, to help maintain relatively stable prices as we pray for the war to cease.”

The President assured Ghanaians that the government remains committed to protecting the economy from external shocks and has taken steps to build resilience.

“I can confidently tell you that the economy will not collapse because of the war in Iran,” he stated.

Mahama also commended transport unions for showing restraint by not immediately increasing lorry fares despite the fuel price surge.

He urged them to continue exercising patience as the government works on relief measures. Fuel prices rose significantly effective April 1, 2026, with petrol increasing to approximately GH¢13.30 per liter (a 15% hike) and diesel to GH¢17.10 per liter (a 19% hike) for the first half of April.

The government is reviewing options including reductions in margins and levies to provide relief to consumers.

This latest development highlights the direct link between global geopolitical tensions and domestic living costs in Ghana, as the government balances immediate relief with longer-term economic stability.

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