John Mahama was sworn in as the President of Ghana for a third term on Tuesday, taking office amid the country’s most severe economic crisis in decades. Thousands of Ghanaians from various sectors gathered at the Independence Square in Accra for the highly anticipated ceremony.
Mahama, who previously served as president from July 2012 to January 2017, won the presidential election late last year as the leader of the opposition party. His victory came after a campaign in which he promised to tackle Ghana’s crippling economic challenges, including rising inflation, increasing unemployment, and widespread corruption.
At 66 years old, Mahama replaces outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose government has been grappling with a volatile economic situation marked by soaring debt and inflation. Mahama’s political career began in the 1990s when he served as the communications minister. He later rose through the ranks, serving as vice president under President John Evans Atta Mills before taking office following Mills’ death in July 2012. He was elected to a full term in 2012 but lost re-election in 2016.
In his inaugural address, Mahama pledged to “reset” Ghana’s economy, focusing on policies aimed at improving growth, reducing poverty, and creating jobs. His campaign resonated strongly with young voters, who viewed the election as an opportunity to address their economic struggles.
“There is a seismic shift happening within the system of global economic dominance,” Mahama said during the ceremony. “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 new president also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration to enhance security and economic resilience in West Africa. His administration faces the daunting task of restoring Ghana’s economic stability and addressing the expectations of the electorate for meaningful change.
Mahama’s return to office comes at a critical time for Ghana, as the country seeks to navigate its economic challenges and reassert its position as a stable, growing economy in West Africa.
