Former President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his entry into politics was never part of his plans, as he initially resisted the path due to his father’s traumatic experiences in the political arena.

Speaking at the Cedar Mountain Chapel of the Assemblies of God Church in East Legon, Accra, Mahama recounted how his father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama, was imprisoned for two years following the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This, he said, deeply affected his father's outlook on politics, leading him to abandon it entirely and focus on business.

“And so because of the narrations that he had given about the trauma he suffered in prison and the setbacks he suffered as a result of his politics, my mind was, I will not be a politician. But God said, who are you to decide? I will do with you what I want. And the rest is history,” Mahama stated.

Reflecting on his childhood aspirations, Mahama shared that he never considered a political career and instead had simple ambitions.

"I mean, if you ask me what do you want to be in future, I didn't say I want to be a doctor or a lawyer. At one time I wanted to be a fireman. Because I like their uniform and the red fire trucks they used to drive," he said.

"Then another time I wanted to be a State Transport Company driver. Because you sit in the car from Tamale to Accra, the way he's driving it, it looks nice."

Despite his reluctance, Mahama acknowledged that divine intervention had shaped his journey, leading him to serve in various leadership roles, including President of Ghana.

"God has kept pushing me in the direction that he wants me to go. At every point, I have been reluctant to follow that trajectory. For instance, politics, I was reluctant to go into politics."

Mahama, who is a member of the Assemblies of God, was unable to attend the church’s thanksgiving service on January 26 in honour of the late Madam Deborah Wengam, mother of Reverend Stephen Wengam, General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, as he was outside the country.

During his visit, he expressed his desire to be an instrument of change for the nation.

“My prayer is, God use me as your instrument. It is you who brought me to this place. It is you who will let me serve your purpose. And the purpose is to serve my fellow Ghanaians and make sure that we're able to turn the fortunes of this country around and make everybody's life better."

Reverend Wengam commended Mahama and his wife, Lordina, for their unwavering support during the construction of the Cedar Mountain Chapel. He also highlighted Mahama’s significance within the Assemblies of God community, noting that he is one of four Presidents the church takes pride in.

As part of the service, Rev. Wengam led a team of pastors to pray for Mahama.