I wanted to quit politics” – Mahama reveals Asantehene changed his mind

President John Dramani Mahama spoke about the crucial role played by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in persuading him to accept the position of vice-presidential candidate for the late President John Evans Atta Mills, a decision that ultimately paved the way for his ascension to the presidency.

During a courtesy visit to the Jubilee House on Monday, June 2, the Asantehene, Mr. Mahama recalled how he initially declined multiple invitations from President Mills to become the vice-presidential candidate for the 2008 elections.

“President Mills sent the late Baffour-Awuah Baffour-Boni and a team to inform me that he wanted me to be his running mate. At that time, I had already planned to exit politics,” Mr. Mahama revealed. “So my response was, ‘No, I do not want to do that.'”

Mr. Mahama stated that even after subsequent contacts from senior political figures including Ato Ahwoi, Tottobi Quakyi, and Kwamina, he remained unconvinced and continued to decline.

It was only after a call from the Asantehene that Mahama began to reconsider his decision.

“One day, I was in Accra and got a call – they said Otumfuo wants you in Kumasi. Who am I to refuse? So I got up and went,” he recalled.

In a compelling exchange, Otumfuo reportedly chastised Mahama for refusing the national call to serve.“He said, ‘Are you the one Professor Mills asked to be his vice, and you declined? When your country calls you, you can’t refuse,” Mahama narrated.

President John Dramani Mahama spoke about the crucial role played by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in persuading him to accept the vice-presidential candidacy of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, a decision that later paved the way for his eventual ascent to the presidency.

During a visit to the Jubilee House on Monday, June 2, Mahama recalled his initial refusal of President Mills’ repeated invitations to become the vice-presidential candidate for the 2008 elections.

“President Mills sent the late Baffour-Awuah Baffour-Boni and a team to tell me that he wanted me to be his deputy. At that time, I had already planned to exit politics,” Mahama revealed. “So my response was, ‘No, I do not want to do it.'”

Mahama stated that even after subsequent contacts from senior political figures including Ato Ahwoi, Totobi Quakyi, and Kwamina, he still did not change his mind and declined again.

Royal Intervention
It was only after a call from the Asantehene that Mahama began to reconsider his decision.

“One day, I received a call in Accra—they said Otumfuo wanted me to come to Kumasi. How could I refuse? So I got up and went,” he recalled.

In a striking conversation, Otumfuo reportedly chastised Mahama for rejecting the nation’s call.

“He said, ‘You are the vice-presidential candidate that Professor Mills requested, and you refused? When your country calls you, you cannot refuse,’ Mahama recounted.

The Asantehene also compared Mahama’s situation to his own, saying, “I was sitting in London when my kingdom called me to be Otumfuo. Do you think I did not want to enjoy a life of freedom? I had to go.”

Otumfuo then mentioned that he would be traveling to South Africa to meet President Mills and hoped to receive a clear response from Mahama upon his return.