John Dramani Mahama was inaugurated for a second term as Ghana’s president on Tuesday in a ceremony held in the capital city, Accra.
The 66-year-old opposition leader secured a decisive victory in the December 7 presidential election, marking a political comeback in Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer.
More than 20 presidents and heads of state from around the globe gathered at Accra’s Independence Square for the ceremony, a historic venue for Ghanaian presidential inaugurations since Kwame Nkrumah took office over 60 years ago.
Mahama succeeds Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down after completing two terms, further cementing Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in a region often marred by military coups and jihadist insurgencies.
Support for Ghana’s democratic journey and the strengthening of cooperation and solidarity were evident as Commonwealth leaders from across the globe attended the inauguration. Among them were the Presidents of Kenya, Gambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Togo.
Mahama promised to “reset” the country on various fronts during a campaign that prioritized the economy and largely appealed to young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the country’s economic crisis.
Mahama faces mounting pressure to swiftly fulfill his campaign promises, particularly to tackle soaring youth unemployment and combat deeply rooted corruption—issues that have eroded trust in Ghana’s political system.
“We are a people battered by economic crises and hardships. But there’s hope on the horizon,” Mahama said in his speech.
In his address, Mahama outlined his vision for a revamped economic model centered on agriculture and agribusiness. He emphasized that this approach would create jobs for young people, boost local industries, and attract much-needed foreign investment.
Other pressing issues include rising inflation and exchange rate volatility, which are straining the incomes of ordinary Ghanaians.
