President-elect John Dramani Mahama has told outgoing President Akufo-Addo that it would be important for them to maintain an active line of communication even after the transition has concluded.

Speaking at the Jubilee House following a meeting with the president and members of the transition team, Mr. Mahama indicated that such a productive relationship would inure to the benefit of the country.

“I believe that even after that transition, it will be necessary for us to continue to keep a channel of communication so that Ghana’s democratic credentials are consolidated and we all work together in the national interest,” he told his political rival.

The two men have known each other for nearly three decades. They were both elected to Parliament in 1996 and served until they got nominated on their respective parties’ presidential tickets.

In 2016, then President Mahama initiated the transition process to hand over power to Mr. Akufo-Addo after he had defeated the sitting head of state in a landslide.

The roles were reversed this morning when they met at the Jubilee House, although Mr. Akufo-Addo did not run having been term limited.

Both seasoned politicians have now named their members to serve on the transition team with Chief of Staff at the presidency, Frema Osei Opare and close Mahama ally, Julius Debrah co-chairing.