65-Year-Old Man to Walk Over 250 Kilometers from Kumasi to Accra for Mahama's Presidential Swearing-In

Alhaji Ayaana, a 65-year-old businessman and philanthropist based in Tamale, has announced his plans to walk over 250 kilometers from Kumasi to Accra to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect John Dramani Mahama on January 7, 2025. This remarkable journey, set to begin on January 5, 2025, will see Alhaji Ayaana first travel to Kumasi by vehicle, before continuing on foot for the remaining distance to Accra. He expects to complete the walk over the course of three days, culminating on the day of the swearing-in ceremony.

This walk is a personal and symbolic gesture from Alhaji Ayaana, who aims to honor Mahama’s victory in the 2024 presidential elections. By walking to the capital, he hopes to demonstrate his support for the incoming president and his administration. This is not the first time Alhaji Ayaana has undertaken such a significant walk. In 1997, he walked to commemorate the second-term swearing-in of former President Jerry John Rawlings. Additionally, in 1999, he organized a 16-kilometer health and peace walk in Tamale to promote national unity on Ghana’s Independence Day.

The announcement of his latest initiative came on December 21, 2024, after he completed a 19-kilometer health walk in Tamale. This walk, which started at the Yakubu Tali International Airport and concluded at the Jubilee Park, was organized to celebrate the peaceful conduct of the 2024 elections and to express gratitude to Ghanaians for overwhelmingly supporting the National Democratic Congress (NDC). It also served as a platform to acknowledge the peaceful nature of the elections and the role of citizens in ensuring a smooth electoral process.

During his speech, Alhaji Ayaana expressed his hope that President-elect Mahama would deliver on his campaign promises, particularly the reduction of Hajj costs, a pressing issue for many Muslims in Ghana. He shared that pilgrims using his travel agency paid between GH¢40,000 and GH¢75,000 for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, a cost that he believes is burdensome for many. He hopes that Mahama’s administration will fulfill its pledge to reduce the Hajj fare, making the pilgrimage more affordable for Muslim Ghanaians.

In addition to Hajj-related concerns, Alhaji Ayaana also called for the decentralization of visa issuance and biometric verification processes to regional offices. Currently, pilgrims from northern Ghana face significant challenges in traveling to Accra to complete these processes. By decentralizing these services, he believes that it would ease the burden on pilgrims from the northern regions and improve accessibility to these critical services.

Alhaji Ayaana’s health walk was joined by Baako Alhassan, a traditional healer, who praised the businessman for his resilience and patriotism. Baako Alhassan emphasized the importance of physical exercise and commended Alhaji Ayaana’s initiative as an inspiring example of dedication to health and national unity. Alhassan encouraged others to follow Alhaji Ayaana’s example of service to both the community and the nation, highlighting the positive impact of such efforts on the collective well-being of the country.

This journey is not only a physical challenge but also a statement of Alhaji Ayaana’s commitment to national development and unity. His walk to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Mahama reflects a deep sense of patriotism and belief in the importance of supporting leaders who are committed to the progress of the nation. Alhaji Ayaana’s actions serve as a reminder of the power of individual contributions to nation-building and the potential of personal dedication to inspire positive change within communities.

Through his symbolic gesture, Alhaji Ayaana is also calling for greater attention to the welfare of citizens, particularly in the areas of Hajj costs and administrative services. His commitment to making a difference, both through his walks and his advocacy, is a testament to his enduring belief in the importance of service to the country and the well-being of its people. As he embarks on this latest journey, Alhaji Ayaana hopes that it will inspire others to get involved in initiatives that promote national unity, peace, and progress for Ghana.