By Fatou Sillah
President Adama Barrow of The Gambia joined 21 current and former leaders to witness the swearing-in of President-Elect John Dramani Mahama as Ghana’s fourth president. The announcement was made through a Facebook post by The Gambia’s State House, highlighting President Barrow’s commitment to promoting regional peace, stability, trade, and economic progress.
In his inaugural address, President Mahama outlined his administration’s focus on four key priorities: economic restoration and macroeconomic stability, enhancing the business environment, good governance and constitutional reform, as well as accountability and the fight against corruption.
“Top on his agenda is economic restoration and stabilization of the macroeconomic environment, improvement of the business sector, good governance and constitutional reform, accountability and the fight against corruption,” the statement said.
The statement also highlighted President Mahama’s gratitude to his predecessor, former President Nana Akufo-Addo, for ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. President Mahama later hosted a luncheon to honor the attending Heads of State and delegations.
“President Mahama thanked former President Nana Akufo-Addo for the peaceful and orderly transition of power, ensuring the government continues to perform smoothly regardless of political change. The President also thanked the visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries for attending the event, marking a shared value of democracy and the rule of law. He later hosted his counterparts and representatives of delegations to a luncheon,” the statement noted.
The statement further emphasized the historic significance of the occasion, as President Mahama’s election represents a landmark moment for democracy in West Africa. He succeeds President Nana Akufo-Addo, who served for two terms. Alongside President Mahama, Her Excellency Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang was sworn in as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
“President John Mahama’s victory marks a significant moment in West Africa’s democratic, succeeding outgoing President Nana Akufo Addo, who served for eight years. Alongside President John Mahama, Her Excellency Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang also took the oath of office as the first female Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.
The event was attended by several notable leaders, including Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, William Ruto of Kenya, Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, and Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.