The inauguration ceremony of President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, was a majestic affair filled with pomp, tradition, and cultural pride.
Amid the jubilant atmosphere and elaborate pageantry, one element that captivated attention was the President’s meticulously designed outfit, which spoke volumes about Ghanaian heritage and values.
From the outfit, here are the symbols in what the preseident wore, plus what they mean:
First, the predominance of white, a significant color in Ghanaian culture, symbolises victory, while the vibrant kente fabric represents Ghana’s rich culture, wealth, and heritage.
Nyame Dua (tree of God) – is an Adinkra Symbol that symbolises God’s protection and presence.
Sankofa (to go back for the best) – symbolises how Mahama is expressing his thanks to Ghanaians for believing in him and for bringing him back to power.
Gye Nyame (Except God) right – this symbol expresses the omnipotent supremacy of God. John Mahama praises the God that he serves.
Dwennimmen (Ram’s horn) down – This is a symbol of his strength and humility, and he is ready to serve the nation with his humbleness and strength for his country
Immediate past president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s bold fashion choices during his COVID-19 updates similarly sparked widespread discussions, setting the stage for social media to become a platform for decoding statements and times through fashion.
In a similar vein, Mahama’s outfit has now entered the annals of Ghanaian political fashion, celebrated not just for its glamour but for the powerful messages it conveyed.
See photos of the outfit as captured by Manuel Photography below:
Photo credit – Manuel Photography
JKB/EK
You can also watch how Ibrahim Mahama drove family in bus to brother’s inauguration as president below:
