Goodluck Jonathan and John Mahama similarities across the board.

John Dramani Mahama and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan now have more in common than just the sound of one of their names. They both spent six years in office after taking the presidency while holding the position of vice president; the incumbents died, John Atta Mills and Umaru Musa Ya’ardua both died in office leaving two years of their term for their vice presidents to complete.  Both Mahama, born November 29, 1958 (age 58 years) in Damongo, Ghana and Johnathan born November 20, 1957 (age 59 years) in Ogbia, Nigeria are minorities in their countries who political pundits would never give a chance to win the presidency under “normal” circumstances. Jonathan served as president from 2010 to 2015. He served as Vice-President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. Mahama served as the Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, and took office as President on 24 July 2012 following the death of his predecessor he would leave office in January, 2017.   

Beyond near birthday and near age similarities, Mahama have served under economic circumstances that are not too encouraging to say the least. Oil prices have fallen on their watch and massive pressure has come upon their country currencies which have dipped mainly because of an over reliance on importation.  Both countries produce oil in commercial quantities but the black gold appears to have been more of a curse than a blessing. The new president has served as both foreign minister and attorney general in a previous NPP government, but twice narrowly lost in  earlier electoral battles for the presidency. Buhari who contested against Goodluck Jonathan and won was a former military head of state and a one time minister for petroleum.

Oppositions mounted against the presidencies of both gentlemen have used the economy as major campaign talking point. Ghana accepted a $918 million bailout from the International Monetary Fund under Mahama. The government of President Buhari is trying to convince parliament to endorse a $29.9 billion loan from the West and while Ghana is considered to be one of the most stable democracies in Africa, the people of Nigeria consider Goodluck Jonathan a hero for conceding defeat in an election in which he lost. Mahama conceded defeat with little controversy involved.

Both Mahama and Jonathan have been accused in their countries media of being associated with corrupt individuals in their governments. Publications state that there has been a misuse of public funds during their presidencies but nothing has been proven beyond doubt yet. Mahama is the fourth John to be president in Ghana, those before him have been John Jerry Rawlings, John Kufuor and John Atta Mills. Nana Akufo Addo’s inauguration would end the reign of the Johns for now. Mahama joined a delegation to the West Africa country of Gambia where he is expected to negotiate a smooth transition for a incumbent who recently lost an election but is reluctant to step down.