"Humble man": Prez Mahama beckons chiefs to sit while he greets them

President Mahama Asks Chiefs to Sit During Greeting, Video Goes Viral

A video of President John Dramani Mahama has gone viral. In it, he tells chiefs to sit while he greets them. Many Ghanaians on social media compared his actions to those of former President Nana Akufo-Addo. Some praised Mahama for showing respect, while others accused him of being a people pleaser.

The incident occurred during Mahama's 'Thank You' tour in the Greater Accra region. He met with chiefs at the Ghanata Old School Park in Doodowa on May 16, 2025. As he approached them, the chiefs began to rise from their seats. However, Mahama signaled for them to remain seated.

This video sparked discussions about leadership styles between the two presidents. During his time in office, Akufo-Addo had ordered chiefs to stand when greeting him. Many Ghanaians criticized this behavior at that time.

Mahama had previously expressed concern over Akufo-Addo’s insistence that chiefs stand up for him. He described it as worrying and a matter of concern for political observers.

Reactions to the video varied widely on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). One user questioned why this was such a big deal. Another user humorously compared Mahama's approach to that of a Pharaoh who demanded respect.

Some comments reflected on how Mahama learned from past events involving Akufo-Addo's leadership style. Others noted that standing up is common courtesy when welcoming guests.

In another update, President Mahama announced good news regarding Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s health. On May 16, he confirmed she had fully recovered after medical treatment abroad and would soon return to her duties in Ghana.