President John Mahama’s respectful greeting of traditional chiefs during his Thank You Tour of the Volta Region has caught the attention of Ghanaians on the X platform, with many users offering reactions that reflect on his leadership style.
During a meeting with the chiefs on Friday, Mahama surprised onlookers by asking the chiefs to remain seated as they exchanged pleasantries—a move that has since been widely praised by users on social media.
The respectful interaction stood in stark contrast to an earlier incident involving former President Nana Akufo-Addo, which had drawn criticism last year. Akufo-Addo had caused an uproar when he demanded that chiefs stand up before he would greet them at the funeral of Alhaji Rashid Bawa in Kadjebi, Oti Region.
The situation, caught on video, led to a backlash, with many questioning the president’s disrespect for traditional leaders. John Mahama, who was then the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), publicly condemned Akufo-Addo’s actions, calling them “unbecoming” and disrespectful to the chiefs.
In light of Mahama’s more respectful approach, many users on X have been quick to draw comparisons, with some suggesting that “Nebuchadnezzar would have done the opposite,” referring to the biblical king known for his authoritarian ways.
Here are a few of the comments circulating on X in response to Mahama’s greeting of the chiefs:
“@NAkufoAddo togbe agorkorli come and see something for me.”
“Nebuchadnezzar would have done opposite.”
“Respect. Unlike the other one that was forcing them to stand up and greet him”
President John Mahama instructs chiefs from the Volta Region to sit as he exchanges pleasantries with them during his Thank You tour#TV3GH pic.twitter.com/Gfklg7m2ZY
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 24, 2025
