Manasseh’s book reveals: Asantehene meets Mahama & Nana on night to Dec.7 polls

Far away in the United States, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II delivered a ground-breaking address at the United Nations on the role of traditional authorities in a democratic system of government.

It was marked by wide applause in New York. But it sparked wild partisan gridlock in Ghana.

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had stated during his speech in August 2019 that the Manhyia Palace intervened to persuade the losing candidate in the 2016 general elections to accept defeat.

Both the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) tried to score political points with the statement.

The NPP tried to portray Mahama who lost as undemocratic while the NDC accused the NPP of deliberately trying to divert the “attention of the nation from burning issues.”

But in his riveting book on the Mahama presidency and legacy, investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure lifts the lid on events leading to the 2016 polls and throws the light on the role the Asantehene played.

The 2016 NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo spent the entire night at the Manhyia Palace ahead of the crucial December polls, Manasseh has detailed in his book.

Nana Akufo-Addo was joined in the Asantehene’s palace by his rival President John Mahama in a meeting which highlights the relevant role traditional authorities play in Ghana’s politics.

The revelation is contained in a book, ‘The Fourth John’ giving a riveting account of John Mahama’s presidency and events leading to the 2016 elections which he lost.

“Nana Akufo-Addo knew President John Mahama had a close relationship With the Otumfuo and would listen to him.

“A source close to Nana Akufo-Addo told me some of the Ashanti Regional executives of the NPP were so uncomfortable with Asantehene’s closeness with President Mahama that they tried to prevail on the candidate not to stay in the residence offered by the Asantehene anytime he visited Kumasi.”

“Nana Akufo-Addo, however, still stays in Otumfuo’s private residence in Nhyiaeso, a suburb of Kumasi, anytime he visits the Ashanti Regional capital.”

Both leaders had been summoned to a meeting by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

“President Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo got to the meeting at about 7p.m. for the meeting with the Asantehene. The meeting was not held in the Manhyia Palace. It was held at a private facility owned by Asantehene,” the book reads.

The book suggests President Akufo-Addo had expressed fears about the outcome of the election.

“He basically did not trust his opponent, John Dramani Mahama, who controlled the security apparatus of the state to allow for a fair contest, ” portions of the book states.

It noted “His fears were based on intelligence he had allegedly picked up from various sources, including those from top military officers.”

Manasseh book explains the Asantehene had led both political parties and presidential candidates made declarations to abide by the outcome of the 2016 elections.

“They were to pledge to accept defeat should it be the fate of either of them in the following day’s election.”

Manasseh’s book, confirmed former President Mahama readily pledged to accept defeat should he lose. He, however, was quick to add one concern.

“He did not want Nana Addo to drag the nation back with a protracted legal tussle like he had done four years ago, if the NPP lost, ” he mentioned to Otumfuo.

Nana Akufo-Addo also assured Mahama and the Otumfuo of his willingness to graciously concede defeat if the process was free and fair.

“The meeting ended after midnight and President John Mahama left Kumasi at about 1:40am. With him were two of his close associates, who waited outside the venue of the meeting.”

“Security was tight, for in the presidential jet were the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje, who piloted the president. It took them 20 minutes to touch down in Accra.”

“The president would spend another hour or two, holding discussions before catching a short sleep. He would fly in the morning to his hometown of Bole to vote in the morning”

“Nana Akufo-Addo, on the other hand, slept in Kumasi. The airport had closed and no private airline was operating at that time. He could not risk travelling by road in that dreadful night. And he certainly did not trust his contender enough to fly together on the same aircraft”.