In a rare public encounter, President John Dramani Mahama and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo met in Kwahu over the weekend, rekindling interest in the political scene during the vibrant Easter celebrations.
The meeting took place on Sunday, April 20, 2025, against the scenic backdrop of the Kwahu highlands — a region that has become synonymous with Easter festivities in Ghana.
Former President Akufo-Addo, who has maintained a near two-decade tradition of marking the Easter season in Kwahu, confirmed the encounter in a public statement, noting the significance of the annual pilgrimage and the pleasant exchange with his predecessor.
“For nearly two decades, I have consecutively visited to mark the sacred period of Easter,” Akufo-Addo stated, adding that he and Mahama met on the “lush landscape of Kwahu,” underscoring the cultural and spiritual significance of the region during this period.
President Mahama, who is currently serving his second term as head of state, arrived in Kwahu a day earlier, on Saturday, April 19, where he officially launched the Kwahu Business Forum at Mpreaso.
The forum aims to foster dialogue and partnerships between local entrepreneurs and investors, as well as highlight the economic potential of the Kwahu area.
President Mahama also attended a church service on Easter Sunday at the Assemblies of God Church, participating in the religious aspect of the Easter celebration, which remains a cornerstone of the Kwahu experience.
Their brief encounter, though informal, sparked widespread engagement on social media, with many Ghanaians praising the cordial gesture as a sign of political maturity and national unity.
The meeting was particularly symbolic given the long-standing political rivalry between the two leaders, who represent the two major political parties — the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
While no official agenda was disclosed, the encounter is being interpreted by some political observers as a hopeful signal of reconciliation and statesmanship amidst an increasingly polarized political climate.
Kwahu Easter festivities, which blend cultural displays, tourism, paragliding, and religious observance, continue to serve as a magnet for both locals and visitors, as well as a platform for national figures to connect with the public in a more relaxed atmosphere.
The two men, both towering figures in the Fourth Republic, share a long and intense political history.
John Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), rose to the presidency in 2012 after the sudden death of President John Evans Atta Mills.
He went on to win the 2012 general elections, narrowly defeating Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a result that was contested in court but ultimately upheld.
However, the political tides shifted dramatically in 2016 when Akufo-Addo staged a strong comeback, decisively defeating Mahama in a historic election that saw the NPP win by a margin of over one million votes — the largest in the Fourth Republic at the time.
The victory ended John Mahama’s first full term and ushered in Akufo-Addo’s presidency.
Akufo-Addo went on to win re-election in 2020, once again defeating John Mahama in a closely fought contest.
The rivalry between the two has defined the political landscape for over a decade. Yet, their unexpected meeting in Kwahu — devoid of political tension — offered a moment of calm and mutual respect that resonated with many Ghanaians.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
