The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has expressed displeasure over the absence of former President, John Dramani Mahama, at state functions, where President Akufo-Addo is the keynote speaker.

According to him, Mr. Mahama's repeated absence is not befitting of his status as a former President.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, he indicated that the Majority takes a strong view of Mahama's conduct; adding that it is a worrying departure from the culture where other former presidents graciously attend state events.

"It is instructive to note that President John Dramani Mahama has not attended any of the seven events [State of the Nation Addresses] at which President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been the key personality. Mr. Speaker, the people of this country will not forget", he noted.

The Majority Leader made these remarks, while giving his closing comments on the 2022 State of the Nation Address, which was delivered by President Akufo-Addo last week.

In this regard, he reiterated President Akufo-Addo's acknowledgement of the persons who were present during the address and raised concerns about Mahama's absence at the said event.

The Majority Leader recalled that during Mahama's State of the Nation Address in 2012, Akufo-Addo did not show up because at that time, he was contesting the legitimacy of Former President Mahama's presidency at the Supreme Court.

He however noted that after that incident, Akufo-Addo made it a priority to be present at other addresses and state functions where Mahama spoke. Thus, he does not understand why former President John Dramani Mahama, has repeatedly absented himself from about seven state of the nation addresses by President Akufo-Addo.

Reacting to this on Top Story on Tuesday, MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that Ex President Mahama's absence at the recent State of the Nation Address was not deliberate. According to him, the event coincided with an invitation Mahama received from Harvard, hence his inability to attend.

Mr. Ablakwa further explained that anytime Ex President Mahama has received an invitation from Akufo-Addo, he does well to honour it, except in situations where he is indisposed or not available in Ghana.

The NDC lawmaker therefore dismissed the assertions by the Majority Leader, which he said sought to paint Mr. Mahama in a bad light. According to him, the Ex President is a peace-loving fellow, whose affable reputation endears him to all Ghanaians.