Kwadwo Twum Boafo, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority and a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has openly criticized the peace gesture extended by immediate-past President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the newly inaugurated President John Dramani Mahama.

During a panel discussion on Metro TV prior to Mahama’s swearing-in, Twum Boafo questioned the sincerity of Akufo-Addo’s olive branch, suggesting it lacked both honesty and originality. He cited his own experiences of what he described as state-sponsored harassment and persecution under the previous administration as reasons for his skepticism.

“Suddenly, President Akufo-Addo says let’s forgive each other. When did he discover brotherhood? When he flat-out terrorized some of us appointees of President Mahama, including President Mahama himself. They threw out his (John Mahama) things. People were sent to turf out a former president out of his residents,” Twum Boafo remarked, highlighting the alleged mistreatment of Mahama by elements associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He argued that Akufo-Addo’s conciliatory move was only prompted by the NPP’s significant defeat in the 2024 elections, implying that without this electoral setback, no such offer would have been made. “After terrorizing us, he has now discovered brotherhood. It was the verdict of Ghanaians that made him discover brotherhood,” he added.

John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as President of Ghana at Black Star Square in Accra, following his landslide victory in the December 7, 2024, elections. The ceremony was attended by international dignitaries, including 21 Heads of State, marking a significant moment in Ghana’s political landscape.

Mahama, who previously served as President from 2012 to 2017 after the death of President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, has now made history by becoming the first non-consecutive president of the Fourth Republic. He defeated his closest contender, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who garnered 41.61% of the votes.

The inauguration also saw Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang sworn in as Vice President, making her the first woman to hold this office in Ghana, adding another layer of historical significance to Mahama’s return to power.