65-year-old man to walk 250km from Kumasi to Accra ahead of Mahama's swearing-in

A 65-year-old man has planned to walk the over 250-kilometre journey from Kumasi to Accra on January 7, 2025, to attend John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration as President of Ghana.

Alhaji Ayaana, a Tamale-based businessman and philanthropist, intends to travel by vehicle to Kumasi before continuing on foot from there to Accra, covering a distance of more than 250 kilometres. He has set aside three days for the journey, starting on January 5 and concluding on January 7, in time for the swearing-in ceremony.

Speaking to the press, the 65-year-old explained that this gesture was his way of honouring President-elect John Dramani Mahama for his victory in the 2024 presidential election.

This is not the first time Alhaji Ayaana has undertaken such a symbolic walk. In 1997, he reportedly walked to mark former President Jerry John Rawlings’ second-term swearing-in. In 1999, he organised a 16-kilometre peace and health walk in Tamale on Independence Day to promote national unity and public health.

The businessman announced his latest initiative on Saturday, December 21, after completing a 19-kilometre health walk from the Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale to the Jubilee Park, also in Tamale. This walk was organised to celebrate Ghana’s peaceful 2024 elections and to express gratitude to Ghanaians for overwhelmingly voting for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Alhaji Ayaana also expressed hope that the President-elect would deliver on his campaign promises, particularly the reduction of Hajj costs, which is a pressing concern for Muslims in Ghana.

 He also encourage President - elect John Dramani Mahama to “prioritise decentralising visa issuance and biometric verification processes to the regional level. This will make it easier for pilgrims from the northern regions, who often face challenges travelling to Accra for these processes.”

A traditional healer, Baako Alhassan, who took part in the walk, emphasised the significance of physical exercise. He praised Alhaji Ayaana’s initiative, describing it as a symbol of resilience and patriotism.

He encouraged others to follow his example, stressing the importance of prioritising both health and national unity.

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