An intriguing old photograph, recently resurfaced from graphic.com.gh, offers a fascinating look at Ghana’s political landscape, not just through the prominent figures posing for the camera, but also through the subtle presence of a beloved, departed leader in the background. While the image distinctly features former President John Agyekum Kufuor and the immediate-past President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, it’s the less obvious face that draws particular attention in this GhanaWeb article: the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills.
The photograph captures a moment of cross-political gathering, though the specific event remains unclear. To the right of the frame, the powerful figures of John Agyekum Kufuor, Ghana’s second democratically-elected president of the Fourth Republic, stands side by side with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who recently concluded his tenure as president. Both, stalwarts of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), present a familiar and strong front.
However, a closer scrutiny of the image reveals the subtle yet poignant presence of John Evans Atta Mills in the background. His image appears as if he were unaware of the camera, lending an authentic, candid quality to his depiction. The fact that he is the only former president in this particular image who is now deceased adds a layer of introspection and historical weight to his unexpected appearance.
The photo clearly signals a moment of cross-political unity, a rare sight that transcended partisan divides. Beyond the three presidents, other notable figures from both sides of Ghana’s political spectrum are visible. These include the late Major Courage Quashigah, a prominent figure from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), sharing the frame with Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Further adding to the historical richness of the photograph are the faces of other distinguished individuals who have since passed on: the late J.H. Mensah, a revered senior member of the NPP, and the late Gladys Asmah, a former Member of Parliament for Takoradi and a dedicated Minister of Fisheries under the NPP government.
Beyond the political figures and the intriguing presence of the late President Mills, the photo offers one other very striking detail: the fashion sense of the era. It serves as a subtle yet engaging visual timestamp, reflecting the sartorial trends of a bygone period in Ghana’s political and social history. This rare snapshot not only documents a moment shared by key national figures but also invites reflection on the passage of time and the evolving political landscape of Ghana.
See the image below:
