John Mahama Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Parents, Siblings, Wikipedia, Net Worth

John Dramani Mahama is a prominent Ghanaian politician and a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He served as the President of Ghana from July 2012 to January 2017, having initially assumed office following the death of President John Atta Mills.

Before his presidency, Mahama was Ghana’s Vice President from 2009 to 2012. In December 2024, he was re-elected for a non-consecutive second term and is set to be inaugurated on January 7, 2025.

His political career spans decades, including significant roles as a Member of Parliament and various ministerial positions, showcasing his deep experience and contributions to Ghanaian governance.

Profile

• Full Name: John Dramani Mahama
• Stage Name: John Mahama
• Born: November 29, 1958
• Age: 66 years old
• Birthplace: Damongo, Ghana
• Nationality: Ghanaian
• Occupation: Ghanaian politician and Former President of Ghana
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Emmanuel Adama Mahama ,Abiba Nnaba
• Siblings: Alfred Abdullai Mahama, Ibrahim Mahama, Samuel Adam Mahama.
• Spouse: Lordina Mahama (m. 1992)
• Children: Farida Mahama, Sharaf Mahama, Jesse Mahama, Shafik Mahama ,Shahid Mahama
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life And Education

John Dramani Mahama, born on November 29, 1958, in Damongo, Ghana. He is the son of Emmanuel Adama Mahama and Abiba Nnaba.

His father was a prominent rice farmer, the first Member of Parliament for West Gonja, and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region under Kwame Nkrumah. Mahama has three siblings: Alfred Abdullai, Ibrahim, and Samuel Adam Mahama.

He attended Accra Newtown Experimental School and Achimota Primary School before completing secondary education at Ghana Secondary School in Tamale.

Mahama earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1981 and a postgraduate diploma in communication studies in 1986 from the University of Ghana, where he was a member of Commonwealth Hall.

He furthered his studies at the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow, specializing in social psychology and earning a postgraduate degree in 1988. Of Gonja ethnicity from the Northern Region of Ghana, Mahama is a practising Christian.

Career

John Dramani Mahama began his political career in 1996 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Bole/Bamboi Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

As a young and dynamic politician, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Minister for Communications in 1997 and later the substantive Minister for Communications in 1998.

During his tenure, he played a key role in modernizing Ghana’s telecommunications sector, contributing significantly to the country’s technological advancement until 2001.

His expertise in communication and governance earned him recognition as a vital player in Ghanaian politics.

Mahama continued to build his political career by serving as a Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi from 1997 to 2009.

In this capacity, he was re-elected in 2000 and became the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman for Communications, where he shaped NDC policies on media and technology.

His international involvement included serving as an observer during Zimbabwe’s parliamentary elections in 2002, further expanding his influence beyond Ghana’s borders.

This extensive experience laid the groundwork for his future leadership roles within the party and the nation.

In 2008, Professor John Atta Mills, the NDC’s presidential candidate, chose Mahama as the running mate. Following Mills’ victory, Mahama became Vice President in January 2009, contributing significantly to governance and policy formulation.

When President Mills passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2012, Mahama assumed the presidency, becoming Ghana’s first head of state born after independence.

In a tightly contested election, he was elected president later that year, defeating Nana Akufo-Addo with 50.7% of the vote.

During his presidency from 2012 to 2017, Mahama focused on infrastructure development, education, and healthcare improvements under the “Better Ghana Agenda” initiated by his predecessor.

While his administration achieved notable successes in these areas, it faced challenges, including economic difficulties and public dissatisfaction over corruption.

He sought re-election in 2016 but lost to Nana Akufo-Addo, becoming the first Ghanaian president to fail to secure a consecutive second term. Despite this setback, Mahama remained active in politics and prominent in the NDC.

In a historic political comeback, Mahama was re-elected in December 2024, defeating Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This victory made him the first Ghanaian leader democratically elected to a non-consecutive second term. Bawumia conceded defeat on December 8, 2024, marking a momentous occasion in Ghanaian political history.

Mahama’s re-election reflects his enduring influence and the trust of the Ghanaian people in his leadership as he prepares to be inaugurated on January 7, 2025.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @officialjdmahama
• Facebook handle: John Mahama
• Twitter handle: @JDMahama

Personal Life

John Mahama, former President of Ghana, has been married to Lordina Mahama (née Effah) since July 29, 1992.

Their union has had five children: Shafik, Shahid, Sharaf, Jesse, and Farida. In 2022, the couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, a testament to their enduring and strong relationship.

Net Worth

John Mahama’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million, placing him among Ghana’s prominent former presidents.

However, allegations have claimed his wealth could reach $900 million.

His office has firmly denied these reports, dismissing them as false and politically motivated efforts to tarnish his reputation.