Former Ghanaian leader takes office after years in opposition

John Dramani Mahama defeated the ruling party’s candidate by a wide margin in the African state’s December 7 elections

Ghanaian opposition leader, John Dramani Mahama, has taken office as president after winning last month’s elections by a landslide amid a promise to “reset” the West African country, which has endured economic downturns under the outgoing government.

During his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday in Accra, Mahama outlined his administration’s immediate priorities, including economic recovery, improving Ghana’s business and investment environment, constitutional reforms, and tackling corruption.

“For some time, our country has urgently needed leadership with an unwavering desire to get things done. With all humility, I assert that I intend to be that leader,” he said.

Mahama’s inauguration marks his return to the presidency after eight years in opposition. He had previously served as head of state from July 2012 to January 2017, when he lost power to his predecessor, Nana Akufo-Addo, in December 2016, and again in the 2020 elections.

READ MORE: Opposition leader wins Ghana’s presidential election

In the recent presidential elections on December 7, the former president gained 56.6% of the votes, compared to 41.6% for the ruling party’s candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia. Bawumia was the deputy for Akufo-Addo, who stepped down this month after serving two four-year terms, the maximum permitted under the constitution.

Mahama’s party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), also won an overwhelming majority in parliament, with 183 out of 276 seats.

Voters accused the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government of mismanagement, corruption, failing to deliver on key promises, and driving the world’s second-largest cocoa producer into an economic crisis.

“We are a people battered by economic crises and hardships. But there’s hope on the horizon,” Mahama said in a speech on Tuesday to the applause of thousands of supporters.

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His inaugural event at Independence Square in Accra was attended by over 20 heads of state from around the world, including Burkina Faso’s military ruler, whose country’s relations with Ghana were strained during Akufo-Addo’s presidency.

In 2022, the former Ghanaian leader accused the neighboring nation of deploying “Russian mercenaries” along Ghana’s northern border. In response, Ouagadougou criticized the former British colony for failing to engage the Burkinabe authorities for the “right information” on the security situation in a country plagued by a deadly jihadist insurgency.

On Tuesday, Ghana’s new president, Mahama, urged African leaders to unite and prioritize regional security. Several African countries, particularly Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Niger, have severed military ties with France, accusing the former colonial power of failing to combat militant violence in the Sahel.

“I will work to foster partnerships that transcend our borders and work collectively with you towards regional stability, economic growth, and mutual respect between our nations,” Mahama vowed.