In a significant gesture of pan-African kinship and respect, a prominent Yoruba monarch has conferred a high-ranking chieftaincy title on former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has named President Mahama “Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source.” The title is deeply symbolic within the Yoruba cosmology of Ile-Ife, regarded as the spiritual birthplace of the Yoruba people. “Atayeto” translates to “one who is worthy of being a crown,” and “Oodua” refers to the progenitor of the Yoruba nation.
The full title, therefore, honours Mahama as a distinguished leader whose stature and wisdom are recognised at the very source of Yoruba civilisation.
This honour reflects President Mahama’s enduring profile as a respected continental statesman. As the former President of Ghana (2012-2017) and the 2024 presidential candidate for Ghana’s National Democratic Congress, Mahama is viewed across Africa as a symbol of democratic governance and stability.
The chieftaincy recognition underscores the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between West African nations, transcending modern political borders to acknowledge shared heritage and leadership.
It solidifies Mahama’s legacy not only as a Ghanaian political figure but as an African elder whose influence is valued within traditional frameworks of honour and wisdom.
