Hanna Tetteh says no to presidential bid, focuses on international diplomacy

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and seasoned diplomat, Hanna Tetteh, has indicated that she has no plans to run for president, despite speculation from sections of the public and political observers.

Speaking in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM’s Sunrise Morning Show, Tetteh briefly dismissed the notion when her name was brought up for a potential presidential or vice-presidential bid. 

“No, no, no,” she said, making it clear she is not considering such a move.

Tetteh, a distinguished stateswoman with extensive experience in both domestic and international politics, served as Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry from 2009 to 2013 and later as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2017 under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. 

Since leaving active politics, she has taken up high-profile roles with the United Nations, including her current appointment as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Libya.

During the interview, Tetteh reflected on her political career and public service, emphasizing that leadership extends beyond holding elected office. 

She highlighted the impact of her work in global diplomacy and conflict resolution, particularly in Africa.

Her remarks come as the final terms of John Mahama’s presidency starts, with speculations and expectations surrounding potential NDC candidates for 2028 elections. 

As a respected figure within the NDC, some party supporters have expressed hope that she could bring a fresh perspective to national leadership.

However, Tetteh remains firm in her stance, choosing instead to support governance initiatives from an international vantage point.

Despite her decision to stay out of the presidential race, Tetteh used the platform to encourage more women to take up leadership roles in Ghanaian politics.

“I think that it’s important that many more women who want to engage in public service, because politics is public service, who want to engage in public service and who have the ambition to do so should feel free to do so,” she advised.

Her statement aligns with ongoing efforts to increase female participation in governance, with various advocacy groups calling for policies that promote gender inclusivity in leadership.