Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been lauded by a section of Ghanaians for exhibiting traits reminiscent of the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills, affectionately called Asomdwehene (King of Peace).
Dr Bawumia, who served as Ghana’s Vice President before the current administration, visited President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday, August 9, to console him over the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people.
The gesture has been described as an act of unity and statesmanship, echoing the calm, non-divisive leadership style for which Atta Mills was revered until his untimely passing in office.
Many citizens, political commentators and civil society actors have praised Dr Bawumia for maintaining a temperate and considerate political posture even in the face of partisan divides.
Professor Atta Mills was celebrated for avoiding inflammatory rhetoric, focusing instead on consensus-building and peaceful governance.
According to admirers, Dr Bawumia’s decision to stand with President Mahama during a moment of national grief reflects a rare maturity in contemporary politics, where ideological differences often overshadow compassion and solidarity.
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, in a heartfelt social media post, described both President Mahama and Dr Bawumia as “amongst the finest politicians in the whole world” and commended them for providing “shining examples” during dark times.
He noted that while leaders in other parts of the world are trapped in “pointless tussles” that polarise their nations, Ghana is blessed to have two statesmen who can rise above political rivalry to unify the country when it matters most.
Mr Bentil expressed gratitude to God for giving the nation “temperate, considerate, calm-mannered, yet capable men to lead us,” urging Ghanaians not to take such leadership for granted.
The outpouring of public admiration for Dr Bawumia’s gesture underscores a wider yearning for politics anchored in mutual respect, peace and pragmatic problem-solving.
As Ghana continues to navigate its challenges, the example set by leaders like Atta Mills — and now embodied in part by Dr Bawumia — offers a vision of governance that values national cohesion over partisanship.
For many, such moments are a reminder that progress is not achieved by “slashing and condemning” opponents, but by steadily building consensus and advancing together as a united people.
