John Mahama has been sworn in as Ghana’s new president, returning to office after defeating the incumbent administration in December’s election.
The inauguration ceremony, held at Black Star Square in Accra on January 7, 2025, was attended by numerous world leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kenyan President William Ruto.
Mahama took the oath of office administered by Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. In his inaugural speech, he pledged to revitalize the country’s economy, describing the day as an opportunity to “reset our country.” His running mate, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, also made history as Ghana’s first female vice president.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate secured a decisive victory in the December election, polling 50% of the votes—6.3 million—to defeat Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by a margin of 1.7 million votes.
Bawumia conceded defeat, emphasizing respect for the people’s choice.
Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017, campaigned on promises of economic recovery following years of financial instability.
Ghana, Africa’s top gold exporter and the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, has recently faced economic challenges, including a $3 billion IMF bailout and inflation that peaked at 50% in 2022 before easing to 23%.
The inauguration ceremony was marked by celebrations, with thousands of supporters waving NDC and Ghanaian flags, dancing to drumbeats.
Other dignitaries in attendance included leaders from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mahama’s return to office underscores Ghana’s history of political stability, with power alternating between the NPP and NDC since the establishment of multi-party democracy in 1992.
