President John Dramani Mahama delivered a deeply personal and emotional address, recounting his father’s detention under successive military regimes in Ghana and explaining how those painful experiences shaped his enduring commitment to justice, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Reflecting on the 1966 coup that overthrew Kwame Nkrumah, President Mahama recalled that his father, who served as a minister in Nkrumah’s government, was detained following the change in power.
He described the period as one marked by uncertainty and fear for many families whose loved ones were targeted for their political associations.
He further narrated how his father was later detained again after writing to then military leader Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, advising him not to cling to power and to prioritize national interest over personal rule.
The letter, he noted, was intended as counsel, but it came at a heavy personal cost.
“As a child, I learned how dangerous it can be to challenge those in authority,” President Mahama said. He stressed that human rights violations do not only affect individuals; they leave lasting scars on families, communities, and entire generations.
According to him, those early experiences instilled in him a profound respect for due process, constitutional governance, and institutional accountability.
He said they also explain his unwavering support for strong judicial systems and his deep appreciation for the role of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in safeguarding fundamental freedoms across the continent.
President Mahama concluded by emphasizing that power without accountability is dangerous, and that Africa’s progress depends on leaders who respect the rule of law and protect the rights and dignity of every citizen.
LISTEN TO PRESIDENT MAHAMA IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭