President launches Ibrahim Mahama Foundation
President John Dramani Mahama has lauded Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, a prominent son of northern Ghana, for his invaluable contribution to the politics and development of the country.
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He said Alhaji Mahama, a renowned legal practitioner, popularly known in the north as Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama, was one person who should not be celebrated by only the people of the north but the entire country.
President Mahama said this when he launched an autobiography of Lawyer Mahama and the Ibrahim Mahama Foundation in Accra yesterday.
The autobiography, titled, "The Destiny of a Horse Boy," traces the life of the author and his contributions to his people, Ghana and mankind.
His foundation is dedicated to supporting brilliant students from the Tamale Senior High School and the University of Ghana where the author schooled.
President Mahama who bought the first copy of the book for GH¢5,000, said he knew Alhaji Mahama from the early 1970s, recounting how the man supported many northerners to obtain higher education.
The book, which is the eighth by Lawyer Mahama, according to the President, raised three critical points.
First, he said, the book brought home what perseverance in life could do to one's life.
Second, it taught the lesson that coming from humble beginnings should not make one poor and ignorant.
Besides, the President said, the book drummed home the need for people who had participated in the history and politics of the country to write something down before their death.
President Mahama urged today's youth to take their destinies into their own hands rather than looking up to others.
He described the book as a wide-ranging book, which was a must-read for all.
Keynote address
The keynote speaker, Professor Abdulai Salifu, who is the Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), described Alhaji Mahama as a man who worked for his popularity in northern Ghana.
"He took up challenges where others thought it was difficult," he said.
Prof. Salifu called on the people of northern Ghana to stop the conflicts and live in peace since the practice retarded development.
Born at Tibungu in the Northern Region, Mr Mahama obtained his LL.B. from the University of Ghana and was called to the Bar in 1966.
He practiced law in Accra and served in the government of the National Liberation Council (NLC).
He was once a Member of Parliament for Tamale and presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Front in the 1979 election.
Mr Mahama is a member of the royal family in Dagbon and was the legal advisor to the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani.
Mr Ibrahim Mahama, Chief Executive of Engineers and Planners and a brother of the President, bought a copy of the book for GH¢50,000.
