By Nana Kofi Barfour | Email: nbobonsu@gmail.com
The Loyal Patriot behind the Presidency
In the often-chaotic theatre of Ghanaian politics, where noise is mistaken for leadership and flamboyance passes for impact, one man has stood out not for his volume of words, but for his vision. Mr. Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff under President John Dramani Mahama’s NDC-Led administration, has quietly but firmly redefined what it means to serve, lead and transform.
One, so measured, loyal, and deeply patriotic, his leadership has left a quiet but undisputable imprint, from the corridors of the Flagstaff House turned Jubilee House to Ghana’s most remote rural communities. His influence runs through governance reforms, digital modernization, social empowerment, and the pursuit of sustainable national development. Through the political storms and transitions, he has remained the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama’s trusted ally, a stabilizing force whose calm and authority ensures continuity and coherence in governance.
Far from the noise and theatrics of politics, Mr. Julius Debrah embodies pragmatic vision: blending business acumen with governance intellect, discipline with empathy, and loyalty with results. Yet, despite his achievements and human humility, one haunting question persists in mind: “Has Ghana truly recognise Julius Debrah’s worth, or are we quietly overlooking one of our nations most competent and patriotic treasures?”
The Story – From Grassroots Grit to Governance Greatness
From the serene township of Suhum in Ghana’s Eastern Region, Mr. Julius Debrah’s journey began not with privilege but perseverance. Educated at the University of Ghana, he rose through the ranks of public service with unrelenting drive, earning his reputation as one of the most disciplined and results-oriented administrators of his generation.
Before entering full public life, Mr. Julius Debrah thrived as an entrepreneur. His ventures in tourism, insurance, and real estate have sharpened his understanding of Ghana’s private sector, insights, that the few that really knows him well enough would agree, has shaped his governance philosophy. This blend of business-minded pragmatism and political intuition defined his leadership style: results before rhetorics.
“He listens, he acts, and he delivers, without the theatre of politics”
As Eastern Regional Minister, minister for Local Government, and later Chief of Staff under President John Dramani Maham, Mr. Julius Debrah built a reputation for accessibility, discipline, and follows-through. He championed the National Sanitation Day and the National Street Naming Exercise, both aimed at giving structure and dignity to community spaces. His mantra was simple: “Development must be seen not said.”
His reappointment as Chief of Staff in both John Dramani Mahama’s administrations (2015 and 2025) was not mere politics; it is a recognition of loyalty, efficiency, patriotism, and continuity. Few in Ghana’s modern political history have served with such quiet endurance and absolute devotion to national duty.
The Impact – Governance, Growth, and the Human Touch
Governance with Grit and Patriotism
As Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah has been a stabilizing pillar in Ghana’s governance structure. His role in reinforcing the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) demonstrated his relentless efforts in pushing for accountability and institutional performance.
His bold directive to annul politically influenced appointments made after the 2024 elections sent a clear message that, public service must serve the interest of Ghana, not partisan interests. In a time when loyalty to nation is often traded for political convenience, Mr. Julius Debrah’s insistence on meritocracy affirmed his patriotic commitment to state integrity.
He also inaugurated the drafting of Ghana’s new National Anti-Corruption Strategy, a framework designed to strengthen ethical governance and transparency, a core requirement for SDG 16 which is Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
Economic Visions with Substance
Mr. Julius Debrah’s impact transcends policy paperwork; it touches the real economy having consistently maintained that infrastructure is the foundation of jobs, not a luxury. His advocacy for rural roads, local governance capacity, and e-government services illustrates a holistic approach to economic empowerment.
Under his supervisions, Ghana’s 10-year Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025-2035) nears completion, an ambitious roadmap where he has championed the development of AI through promoting digital literacy, launching ministerial AI bootcamps and advocating for the strategy’s implementation to make Ghana a digital transformation hub in Africa.
His working visit to Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) underscores his practical oversight on resource governance, ensuring transparency in mining revenue management and gold exports. Not only does these visits ensure responsible mining but underscore a leader who understand that sustainability is not anti-business, it is smart business. His business instincts and political experience converge on one belief: Ghana’s prosperity lies in productivity, not the gimmicks of politics and its partisan misfortunes.
“Infrastructure is not an expense; it is an investment in children and nation’s future.”
Social Responsibility and Human Connection
For all his executive poise, Mr. Julius Debrah remains deeply connected to ordinary people, on that is not largely showcased until his “Walk with Julius” campaign, an inclusive national health and fitness movement brought together Ghanaian from all walks of life in the spirit of health, unity and national pride.
The symbolism is profound, a leader walking among his people, not above them. He often reminds the nation that, “a healthy population is a productive nation,” emphasizing that economic progress must begin with human well-being.
Championing Sustainable Development
Mr. Julius Debrah’s initiatives resonate deeply with the United Nations Sustainable Goals, from clean sanitation (SDG 6), to innovation (SDG 9), and institutional transparency (SDG 16). His policies exemplify patriotism not just words but in measurable action, a demonstration of love for country through service that outlasts politics.
The Challenge – Politics, Pressure, and the Price of Principle
Navigating Political Crosswinds
In Ghana’s turbulent political climate, where every policy has an opponent, Mr. Julius Debrah’s principled approach often meets resistance. His loyalty to President John Dramani Mahama, unwavering even when the political tide shifted in 2016, has earned him both admiration and criticism. But to him, loyalty is not blind allegiance as some may think in the context of our political history. To him, it is belief in continuity, teamwork, and the greater national good.
“He stayed loyal when it was easier to walk away, a rare trait in our modern political history”
The Burden of Expectations
“An old woman never serves cold yam,” a Ghanaian proverb reminds us that experience brings care, wisdom, and precision to every task, no matter how simple it may seem. In the demanding, role of the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah exemplifies this principle. With steadfast composure, he absorbs the pressure of government scrutiny, navigates complex, political dynamics, and mitigates internal power struggles, all while ensuring continuity and coherence within party and government.
His street naming and sanitation faced bureaucratic bottlenecks and funding delays. Yet, his persistence in the face of national inertia exemplifies resilience and patriotism, a refusal to abandon reform because of politics.
The Price of Principle
In a bureaucracy where change is often feared, his insistence on discipline, accountability, and reform has made him a target of both envy and opposition. Yet, his conviction remains unshaken: Ghana must progress through systems, not slogans.
Reflective Thoughts – The Man Ghana Has Yet to Celebrate
His leadership reflects not only competence but also loyalty and patriotism, demonstrating that true service to the nation requires calm resilience, thoughtful judgement, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. In a political landscape often dominated by noise and theatrics, Mr. Julius Debrah’s steady hand is a testament to the power of experience, humility, and disciplined dedication.
In a country where political loudness often overshadows loyalty, Mr. Julius Debrah embodies the kind of patriotism that is quiet but profound. He is the loyal servant-leader who carries national burdens without broadcasting them, the one who ensures that governance functions even when politics falters.
He has been the bridge between presidential vision and public reality, proving that leadership can be humble, humane, and still effective.
“He is the steady hand behind Ghana’s machinery, proof that power can be humble, and humility can be powerful.”
Yet, the question remains: Why does Ghana often fail to celebrate those who serve faithfully behind the scenes?
We honour those who speak, but forget those who sustain. We cherish those who campaign, but ignore those who build. Perhaps the greater tragedy is not that Mr. Julius Debrah has flaws, he does, like all humans, but that Ghana may fail to recognize his contribution while he still serves.
A Controversial Reflection
If competence, loyalty, and patriotism were the benchmarks of national leadership, would Mr. Julius Debrah not be one of Ghana’s qualified candidates for presidency in a future to come? Or are we, as a nation, too distracted by the noise of politics and its partisan misfortunes to recognize the quiet power of a man who has faithfully served both leader and country?
