Ghana’s Black Star Square erupted in jubilation on Tuesday as John Mahama was sworn in as president.
The 66-year-old leader secured a decisive victory on December 9, capturing 56% of the vote against Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
Mahama’s inauguration, attended by 20 regional leaders, marked his return to power after an eight-year absence.
In his address, he called for a national reset, pledging to lift the West African nation from economic struggles and uncertainty.
Wearing Ghana’s traditional attire, Mahama promised to restore hope, as supporters waved flags and danced to vibrant drumbeats.
The inauguration was graced by African leaders, including Nigeria’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kenya’s William Ruto, among others.
History was made as Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s first female vice president, was sworn in alongside Mahama.
Mahama’s win ends the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) two-term rule, led by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo’s tenure faced economic turmoil, including an IMF bailout and Ghana’s first-ever debt default.
Supporters hailed Mahama as a leader who understands the struggles of ordinary Ghanaians and offers a vision of change.
“The energy is electric,” said Akosua Nyarko, a teacher from Cape Coast, who celebrated Mahama’s return as a “new dawn.”
Rural farmer Mohammed Abubakar voiced hope that Mahama would prioritize rural development and secure brighter futures for children.
Kwame Ansah, a trader, praised Mahama as a “man of the people” who could deliver jobs and better healthcare.
Ghana, Africa’s top gold exporter and the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, faces challenges but exudes political stability.
As inflation eases from its 2022 peak, Ghanaians now look to Mahama for the leadership needed to restore economic prosperity.