Bhimsen Thapa vs John Dramani Mahama

Bhimsen Thapa became the first Mukhtiyar (equivalent to prime minister) of Nepal after the assassination of Rana Bahadur Shah. He consolidated power and became the de facto ruler, serving under the minor king Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah.

Bhimsen Thapa modernized the Nepalese army by introducing European-style training, weapons, and organization. He established arsenals, recruited Gurkha soldiers, and expanded the army's size, making it a formidable force in the region.

Bhimsen Thapa led Nepal into the Anglo-Nepalese War against the British East India Company. Despite initial Nepalese victories, the war ended with the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, which forced Nepal to cede territories including Sikkim and Kumaon.

Bhimsen Thapa signed the Treaty of Sugauli with the British, ending the Anglo-Nepalese War. Nepal lost about one-third of its territory, including the Tarai plains, and was forced to accept a British resident in Kathmandu, limiting its sovereignty.

Bhimsen Thapa was removed from power in 1837 after a court intrigue and accusations of poisoning the young king. He was imprisoned and later committed suicide in 1839, ending his 31-year dominance over Nepalese politics.

As Vice President, Mahama played a role in the passage of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, which established rules for the management of Ghana's oil revenues. The law aimed to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of oil funds.

Following the death of President John Atta Mills in July 2012, Mahama, then Vice President, was sworn in as president. He later won the December 2012 election, securing a full term amid opposition allegations of irregularities.

Facing a severe economic crisis characterized by high inflation, currency depreciation, and fiscal deficits, Mahama's government secured a $918 million bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2015. The program required austerity measures and structural reforms.

Mahama lost the December 2016 presidential election to Nana Akufo-Addo, receiving 44.4% of the vote against Akufo-Addo's 53.8%. The defeat marked the first time a sitting Ghanaian president was voted out after one term.

Mahama ran again in the 2020 presidential election but was defeated by incumbent Nana Akufo-Addo. He received 47.4% of the vote, and his party challenged the results in court, but the Supreme Court upheld Akufo-Addo's victory.