John Mahama has officially taken the oath of office as Ghana’s new president in an exuberant ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra, marking his return to power. Surrounded by world leaders and a jubilant crowd, Mahama, 66, succeeded Nana Akufo-Ado, who served as president from 2017 to 2025. This marks Mahama’s return after his first tenure ended in 2017.
In a historic moment, Mahama was joined by Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who made history as Ghana’s first female vice president. The swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in the presence of various African dignitaries and former leaders.
With energy and enthusiasm echoing across the Black Star Square, Mahama emphasized the need to “reset” Ghana and address the country’s economic challenges. “Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” he declared, amid chants and spontaneous dance from the gathered crowd, many waving Ghanaian and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flags.
The event was attended by several African leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and Kenyan President William Ruto, among others, who extended their support to Ghana’s new leader.
Mahama’s victory in the December elections saw him receive 50% of the votes, beating his closest rival, the then-vice president Mahamudu Bawumia, with a margin of 1.7 million votes. Following the election, Bawumia had gracefully conceded defeat, acknowledging the people’s desire for change.
In his new term, Mahama faces the task of revitalizing Ghana’s struggling economy. The country recently entered into a $3-billion deal with the IMF after experiencing a severe debt crisis. Despite the current recovery efforts, inflation remains high, and Mahama’s administration is expected to focus heavily on economic stability.
Ghana’s political stability, coupled with its abundant natural resources, makes it a key player in Africa, and Mahama’s government now faces a crucial opportunity to lead the country toward greater growth and prosperity.
