President John Dramani Mahama made a heartfelt trip to Burkina Faso to thank Ibrahim Traoré for attending his inauguration in Accra, Ghana.
The visit, described by many as a powerful show of brotherhood between two West African leaders, was marked by a deeply personal message from Mahama.
“Burkina Faso and Ghana are the same, so I don’t need any reason to come. I can come any time I want.” Mahama told Traoré, highlighting the close bond between the two nations.
He added that African tradition emphasizes gratitude, especially when a brother does you a favour. “But by African tradition, we know that if your brother does you a favour, the next morning you have to come and say thank you,” he said.
Recalling events earlier this year, Mahama explained the purpose of his visit: “We had elections last year in Ghana, and I was elected the president, and I sent an invitation to my brother to come and attend my investiture.
And he left everything he was doing and came to the investiture, and so when he was leaving, I told him I’ll come and say thank you. So I came here to thank him very much for coming to our inauguration.”
Beyond the warm exchange, Mahama revealed that the two leaders engaged in substantial talks. “We’ve had a long discussion, and I think that we’ve discussed issues of mutual interest,” he concluded.
On January 7, 2025, Ghana’s Independence Square lit up with pride and pageantry as leaders from across Africa gathered to witness the swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama.
The inauguration drew over 30 heads of state and dignitaries, a powerful signal of Ghana’s stature on the continent and the respect Mahama commands.
Among the most talked-about guests was Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré. His arrival sparked excitement both at home and in Ghana.
For many, his presence wasn’t just diplomatic—it was symbolic of a growing pan-African bond. Traoré, widely admired by young Africans for his bold reforms and strong stance on sovereignty, didn’t hesitate to show solidarity with Mahama by attending the ceremony in person.
The event also marked a historic milestone as Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang officially took office as Ghana’s first female Vice President, a proud moment for gender representation in leadership.
