John Mahama has been inaugurated as Ghana’s president for a second term during a vibrant ceremony at Accra’s iconic Black Star Square. The event, attended by around 20 African leaders, marked a new chapter for the West African nation.
Dressed in Ghana’s national attire, Mahama addressed a jubilant crowd adorned in the green, red, black, and white colors of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party. “Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” he declared, sparking cheers and celebrations.
The atmosphere at Black Star Square was electric, as supporters waved Ghanaian and NDC flags, danced to drumbeats, and blared vuvuzelas. Distinguished guests included Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traore, Kenya’s William Ruto, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.
Mahama was sworn in alongside Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s first female vice president. His return to leadership ends the NPP’s eight years in power and ushers in a period of renewed hope for many Ghanaians.
Mahama’s first presidency, from 2012 to 2017, ended after he lost two subsequent elections. However, his recent campaign tapped into a widespread desire for change, particularly after years of economic turmoil.
“I’ve never been so proud to be Ghanaian,” said Akosua Nyarko, a teacher from Cape Coast. “The energy here is amazing … This is the dawn of a new era!” Mohammed Abubakar, a farmer from Tamale, echoed this optimism, expressing hope for rural development under Mahama’s leadership.
Beyond politics, Mahama is an author and Afrobeat enthusiast. His memoir, My First Coup d’Etat, reflects on his transformative childhood during Ghana’s 1966 military coup. Born in northern Ghana to a privileged family, Mahama’s early life shaped his worldview and leadership style.
Ghana, a beacon of political stability in West Africa, continues to alternate power between its two major parties, the NPP and NDC, under a multi-party democracy established in 1992. The country, with a population of 33 million, is Africa’s leading gold exporter and the world’s second-largest cocoa producer.
Mahama’s inauguration signals renewed optimism and the promise of a brighter future for Ghana.