President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, played a pivotal role in convincing him to accept the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ offer to become his running mate.
This was a decision that ultimately led to his appointment as Vice President between 2009 and 2012 even when according to Mahama, he had decided to quit politics .
According to President Mahama, he had initially declined the offer despite two separate delegations sent by President Mills to persuade him. The first delegation was led by the late Baffoe Bonnie, while the second was made up of Professor Kwamena Ahwoi and former Information Minister Totobi Quakyi. In both instances, he insisted on stepping away from active politics.
He further indicated that he unexpectedly received an invitation from the Manhyia Palace through a phone call, which he could not turn down. Upon his arrival, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II personally appealed to him to reconsider the offer, describing it as a national call to serve — just as he had responded to the call of his kingdom in 1999 when he was enstooled as Asantehene.
“When I went, he said, ‘Are you the one President Mills said should come and be his running mate and become Vice President and you said no? You lie! When your country calls you, you can’t refuse. I was sitting in London when my kingdom called me to become Otumfuo. You think I didn’t want to enjoy the free life? I had to do it. You cannot refuse.’”
Following the meeting, President Mahama said he agreed to accept the offer — though with one condition: that he would serve as Vice President for only one term. Otumfuo gladly accepted this request.
“So when he came to Accra, I went to him and said, ‘Yes, I’ve made up my mind. But tell him I’ll do it for only one term.’ And he said, ‘Even if you do it for one day, we’ll accept it.’ The rest is history. He was instrumental in me becoming Professor Mills’ running mate, and of course, we went on to win that election. Everything else is history. Your Majesty, thank you very much, I appreciate your friendship,” President Mahama said.
President Mahama went on to become Vice President under Mills from 2009 to 2012 and succeeded him following his passing. He was elected President in the 2012 elections, lost in 2016, and is now back in office after winning the 2024 presidential election.