Mr. John Dramani Mahama has been officially sworn in as Ghana’s president at a grand inauguration ceremony held today at the Black Star Square in Accra.
Thousands of Ghanaians, alongside dignitaries and global leaders, gathered to witness the historic event, which marked an important moment in Ghana’s democratic journey.
Related: John Dramani Mahama sworn in as Ghana’s President
FULL TEXT: President John Mahama speech at January 7, 2025 inauguration
Below are 20 important highlights from his inaugural address;
- Acknowledgement of Ghana’s democratic journey “Thirty-two years ago, on January 7, Ghana made its first and most successful democratic transition… Our nation was returned to a multi-party democracy with a new constitution that went into effect, and the Fourth Republic was officially established.”
- Commitment to the people “It is the people of Ghana that we are elected to serve.”
- Reflection on Political Rivalry with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “While we belong to opposing political parties, we shared a sense of mutual respect… You have, without exception, been a worthy opponent.”
- Appreciation for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia “Your sportsmanship in making an early concession eased tensions and contributed to the early conclusion of the electoral contest.”
- Global economic shifts “The combined total of the GDP of the BRICS nations… has been consistently increasing, while the G7’s share has been steadily dropping.”
- Technological challenges “Technologies such as artificial intelligence… open up the potential for national, financial, and personal security issues that we are not yet able to imagine.”
- Climate crisis and pandemics “With the increase of the climate crisis… there’s a greater likelihood for viruses that have been frozen and thought to be extinct… to create another global pandemic.”
- Strengthening public health systems “My government will be working diligently to strengthen our public health systems… so that when—not if—the next pandemic or epidemic occurs, the loss of lives in Ghana will be minimal.”
- The need for a reset “Today should mark the beginning of a new opportunity—an opportunity for us to make a difference in our governance and our economic management.”
- Gratitude to voters “To the millions of my fellow countrymen and women who joined long queues… your courage to bring change will not go in vain.”
- Faith in Ghana’s future “We need a reset with the faith we have in our country and our leadership… because all of us are Ghana. You are Ghana, and I am Ghana.”
- Historic appointment of Ghana’s first female Vice President “With the inauguration of Ghana’s first female vice president, we have turned a significant page in our history.”
- Support for gender equality “Nana Jane’s ascension… symbolizes our collective commitment to fostering a nation where gender equality and female representation are cherished and amplified.”
- Four priority areas “We’ll focus our initial efforts on four critical areas: economic restoration, improvement of the business environment, governance and constitutional reforms, and accountability and the fight against corruption.”
- Introduction of a 24-hour economy “We envisage an innovative and vibrant 24-hour Ghanaian economy, which will also be anchored in agriculture and agribusiness.”
- Job creation and empowerment “Together with the private sector… we will create decent and well-paying jobs.”
- Inclusivity in governance “Our decisions will champion diversity in all facets of governance, ensuring that every Ghanaian… has the opportunity to contribute to our nation’s story.”
- Call to business leaders “To the business leaders and entrepreneurs, I invite you to support this new model and join me in shaping a business environment where creativity thrives.”
- Ghana is open for business “Members of the business community, I assure you: Ghana is open for business again.”
- Call to action “This is a patriotic call to action for all of us to participate in building a nation that lives up to its promise, where hope thrives, and dreams become a reality.”
These statements highlight President Mahama’s vision for progress, inclusivity, and transformation in Ghana.
