ACCRA, Ghana — On Tuesday, John Mahama was inaugurated as Ghana’s president for a third term amidst the nation’s most significant economic crisis in recent history. The event was well attended, drawing thousands of Ghanaians from diverse backgrounds to the capital for the occasion.
Mahama, who leads the opposition, has a history in politics that began when he served as the communications minister. He claimed victory in the presidential election last year with promises to address the ongoing economic challenges, as well as corruption and unemployment.
At 66 years old, Mahama is set to take over from the current president, Nana Akufo-Addo. His initial rise to the presidency came in July 2012 upon the passing of President John Evans Atta Mills. Mahama completed that term and went on to win the following election in 2012.
During his campaign, Mahama emphasized a “reset” of the nation in various aspects, especially focusing on the economy. This message particularly resonated with the youth, who viewed the elections as a pathway to relieving the economic turmoil plaguing the country.
In his address at the Independence Square in Accra, Mahama articulated the need for cooperation among neighboring countries, stating, “There is a seismic shift happening within the system of global economic dominance. 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.”
The inauguration attracted several prominent leaders from across Africa, including Paul Kagame of Rwanda, William Ruto from Kenya, Felix Tshisekedi of Congo, and Capt. Ibrahim Traore from Burkina Faso.
Mahama outlined his administration’s commitment to economic recovery, focusing on stabilizing the macroeconomic environment and promoting good governance while combating corruption.
The elections held in December for both the presidency and parliament occurred during a significant cost-of-living crisis, serving as a litmus test for democratic practices in a region experiencing extremist violence and military coups. Ghana’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, reported that the election was relatively peaceful, aligning with Ghana’s ongoing tradition of electoral stability.
Andrew Takyi, founder of the fintech company Zee Pay, expressed optimism that President Mahama would leverage the 24-hour economy model he advocated during his campaign to enhance the country’s economy. He suggested that this approach could broaden the tax base of small and medium enterprises, thus improving government revenue.
Innocent Appiah, a senior media research officer at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, anticipates that the Mahama government will emphasize transparency and accountability within the extractive industry. He hopes to see a more effective role for the PMMC in regulating and overseeing this vital sector.
Additionally, he expects policies that will foster value addition, develop local content, and enhance community engagement, leading to greater revenue generation and socio-economic advantages for the people of Ghana.
Enyonam Agble, a trader who attended the inauguration, expressed concerns over the past administration’s corruption, stating, “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.”
