Ibrahim Mahama tells his story

Mr Ibrahim Mahama, a lawyer, politician, farmer and opinion leader in Dagbon, in the Northern Region has published his autobiography entitled: “The Destiny of a Horse Boy.”

The 452-page book, dedicated to his teachers was launched at Accra International Conference Centre and was witnessed by President John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Chiefs and the media.

The President Mahama also used the occasion to launch Ibrahim Mahama Foundation, which would among other functions, work towards the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and indiscipline.

The Foundation has instituted three prestigious awards for excellence and leadership in honour of the Alma Mater of the Author namely; Ibrahim Mahama prize for excellence, University of Ghana, Legon, Ibrahim prize for excellence, Ghana School of Law, Accra and Ibrahim Mahama prize for excellence, Tamale Senior High School, Tamale.

The book, which comprise 15 chapters covered issues such as “My Parents and Early Childhood,” A Dream to Go to School,” “Freshman in Commonwealth Hall,” “My Legal Practice and Appointment,” and “Beginning of My Political Career.”

Others include: “ The Return of Rawlings,” “My Memorable Court Cases,” “Murder of the Ya-Na,” “Election 2004, the Murder of Issa Mobila and My Exile,” “Trial of Issa Mobila Murderers,” and “Brief History of Two Ancestors.”

In the preface Mr Mahama said “although my actual date of birth is uncertain, by a fortuitous combination of circumstances, I know it was sometime in the year 1935”.

He said when he was 10 years old he began to cut grass for his grandfather’s horse.

“There, I might have remained a stark illiterate, but I escaped from the bowels of illiteracy and ran away from my grandfather’s village in Northern Ghana at the age of 15 to go to school in 1951.

“I appealed to the local school teachers to accept me as a pupil. To my great joy, God heard my prayers and they accepted me. Fifteen years later, I was called to the Bar, having obtained my LLB degree in 1965 at Ghana’s premier university.”

Mr Mahama said he was the son of Konzulun, alias Kobina Morri and Nabia (Princess) Damata Mahama.

The book tells the story of Mr Mahama’s story of growing up in the parched and unhospitable landscape of the north and his hunger to go to school.

The eight book to be written by the author also talks about violent, warring royal clans, the worse kinds of political jockeying and bloodshed at the hands of government lackeys, politicians and leaders who quite literally risk their lives in their quests for power.

Mr Mahama was born in a village called Tibungu. He received his LLB degree from University of Ghana and was called to the Bar as Attorney in 1966.

After practicing law in Accra for some time, he served in the government of National Liberation Council. He was a Member of Parliament representing Tamale for three years.

He was also the presidential candidate for Social Democratic Party in 1979. He is a member of the Royal Family of Dagbon and in 1974, he became the Solicitor and Legal Advisor to the King; Ya-Na Yakubu 11, until 2002.

Mr Mahama’s hobbies include swimming and reading.