Mahama Sworn in as Ghana’s President for a Third Time Against the Backdrop of an Economic Crisis

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Ghana's President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, waves after taking the oath of office at his inauguration, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Misper Apawu

AP | By Francis Kokutse | Updated 11:59 AM EST, January 7, 2025

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — John Mahama was president of Ghana for a third time Tuesday against the backdrop of the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation. Thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of life attended the ceremony in the capital.

Supporters of President John Dramani Mahama, attend his inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Misper Apawu

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.

Kenya's President William Ruto, centre, is seen among the guests attending Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Misper Apawu

“There is a seismic shift happening within the system of global economic dominance,” he said Tuesday in his address at the Independence Square in Accra. ”Now more than ever before, we need to strengthen our ties with our neighbors to ensure that we are working together to keep our sub-region safe.”

Supporters of President John Dramani Mahama, attend his inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Several African leaders attended the ceremony, including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Kenya’s William Ruto, Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi, and Burkina Faso’s Capt. Ibrahim Traore.

Burkina Faso's President brahim Traoré, left, with, Botswana's President Duma Boko, and Guinea's President Mamady Doumbouya, seen among the guests attending Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan.7, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

In his address, Mahama said he will focus on economic restoration and stabilization of the macroeconomic environment, as well as on good governance and the fight against corruption.

The election in December for both president and members of parliament was held against the backdrop of the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. West Africa’s regional bloc of ECOWAS said the election was generally peaceful, a continuing trend in Ghana.

Andrew Takyi, founder of a local fintech company, Zee Pay, told The Associated Press: “l am hopeful that President Mahama will use the 24-hour economy he campaigned on to improve the country. He can use that to widen the tax base of small and medium enterprises to improve revenue.”

Innocent Appiah, a senior media research officer at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, said he expects the Mahama administration to “prioritize transparency and accountability in the extractive industry, ensuring that the PMMC plays a more effective role in regulating and monitoring the sector.”

“I anticipate policies that promote value addition, local content development, and community engagement, ultimately leading to increased revenue generation and socio-economic benefits for Ghanaians,” he said.

Enyonam Agble, a trader attending the inauguration, said: “There was so much corruption under President Akufo-Addo and all we want is the recovery of all that had been stolen to rebuild the country.”

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Burkinabe President, Ibrahim Traore greeted by the Burkinabe community living in Ghana during the inauguration of John Mahama.

 
 

This was how the President, Capt. Ibrahim Traore was greeted by the Burkinabe community living in Ghana during the inauguration of John Mahama. Burkinabes seem to love this young man and are proud of him. A new era in Africa has begun. John Mahama was sworn in on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as Ghana's president for the third time, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in a generation.