Renowned investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has described former President John Dramani Mahama as a very tolerant and fine gentleman who is able to relate well even with persons who are his fierce critics.
Sharing his personal encounter with the former President via Facebook, Manasseh wrote, “As I waited for his arrival, I imagined how awkward the initial moments would be. But when he walked in, everything was different. He called out my name and greeted me with the warmth of someone who had not seen a very good friend in a long time. It was our first meeting since he lost the election. Many people in and outside his party believed I was part of the reason he lost. That’s why the hawks who had heard that I wanted to interview him for a book had protested against our meeting.
The protests in their camp had leaked and a colleague journalist had told me about it. And I didn’t know I would have his input.”After all the things he has done, he still has the guts to come and ask for an interview to write his book,” they had said, knowing the content of the book would not be charitable. But here he was, being friendly in a way that both shocked and embarrassed me. I shouldn’t have been surprised. That’s how he had always treated me.
On one occasion, he was joined by his wife, Lordina, who screamed when she heard my name for the first time.”Is he the one, sitting quietly like someone who cannot even talk. He has made us very hot?” she said in Twi. While serving me Malta Guinness and biscuit, she joked, “Let me serve you. If I hear you tomorrow on radio bashing us, I will also sit here and bash you.” We laughed. That warm reception and other kind words from the first couple to one of their fiercest critics notwithstanding, I still thought the meeting for the Fourth John book interview would be different because of what had happened.
We overspent two hours talking. He said he was prepared to answer any question I had, including those that could not be on the record but would help me appreciate a particular situation. And he did. We went beyond that. And I opened up on why I didn’t like his administration, why I voted against him in the 2016 election. His demeanour did not change. He was prepared to listen. He agreed with me on some and offered explanations where he felt I had misunderstood something as an outsider. When it was time to go, he told me words I thought all politicians should learn. He had told me similar words before when he was president.
Manasseh, take it from me. I hold absolutely nothing against you. I don’t agree with some of the things you have written and said about me and my government, but I respect you and will defend your right to say them any day,” John Dramani Mahama, former President of the Republic of Ghana, said with a warm, parting handshake. Another election is here and heads are already splitting with hate and rage. Some NDC and NPP followers are out on social media and traditional media verbally lynching whoever disagrees with their party or criticises them. John Mahama, like every politician or president, has his faults. But his tolerance and gentlemanly conducts does not only deserve celebration but emulation. We can still treat one another well even if we disagree or vote differently”.
