President Akufo-Addo meets Ghana's former presidents

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 18th April, 2017 held a meeting with the three former Presidents of the Republic, Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency.

Its purpose of the meeting was to seek the views of the former presidents on some governance-enhancing measures his administration intends to take.

The president gave hints of such meetings in his Inaugural speech on Saturday, January 7, 2017, when he stated that “I am in the unique position of being able to draw on the wisdom and experience of three former Presidents of the Republic, their Excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama. They represent the continuity of the institutions of our Republic, for which we thank God.”

The president reiterated this statement in his message to Parliament on the State of the Nation, on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, where he said that “I am in the enviable position of being the first Ghanaian leader to be able to draw on the experiences of three living, former Presidents. This should, definitely, enrich my tenure of office.”

A communique released from the presidency after the meeting stated that, the meeting which lasted for two hours, was held in a good atmosphere, one of frank exchanges and mutual respect.

According to the presidency, President Akufo-Addo intends to have further meetings with the three former Presidents in the future.