The country must pray for President Nana Akufo-Addo, former President John Mahama has implored, saying his successor must be having “sleepless nights” just as he had when he was in office.

Speaking at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Madina Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Trinity Parish, Accra on Sunday, 12 November, Mr Mahama said: “Leadership is not an easy thing.”

“We must always pray for leaders. I’ve been there before and I know what it’s like. Sleepless nights. And I’m sure my successor is also having very sleepless nights. If you are a leader even of a small parish like this, the kinds of problems I’m sure Reverend Osiakwa has to handle are just a microcosm of the kinds of problems that President Nana Addo must be facing by now”, he said.

“We must also always respect our leaders. Indeed, if you do not even like the personality in the position or in the office, you must show respect to the office, because you don’t know when you yourself will find yourself there. Or your son will find himself there, or your relative will find himself there, or even somebody you like will find himself there”, Mr Mahama added.