The recently elected president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, revealed his deep ties to the Nigerian town of Offa in Kwara State during a conference briefing. This revelation shows the cross-border ties that have shaped his personal and political journey.
President Mahama, who has just been re-elected after previously serving from 2012 to 2017, spoke candidly about his Nigerian roots.
He stated; "Let me clear a few things first; one is about my Nigerian antecedent. My step-mother is a Nigerian who raised me and she comes from Offa in Kwara State."
He further elaborated on his time in Nigeria, recounting a period during a coup in Ghana when his father lived in exile. "At a point in time when there had been a coup in Ghana, my father lived in exile here in Nigeria and I had to come and stay with my step-mother for many years," Mahama explained. "So I know Offa quite well and consider it my hometown here in Nigeria."
In recognition of his connection to the community, Mahama was honored with a chieftaincy title by the Olofa of Offa. "Olofa of Offa was very gracious too; he granted me a chieftaincy title," he proudly shared. "For those of you who don't know, I'm the Aare Atolase of Offa Kingdom."
This revelation shows the strong personal and cultural ties Mahama maintains with Nigeria, illustrating a unique aspect of his background.
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