The swearing-in ceremony took place today, January 7, at 10 am in the forecourt of the Independence Square.
President John Mahama swore the Presidential oath and oath of allegiance to Ghanaians, administered by the Chief Justice, Mrs. Geogina Wood.
Giving a speech after handling the Presidential mantle to himself, President Mahama pledged his commitment to the development of the nation and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian citizenry.
President John Dramani Mahama was Vice President under the Mills-led administration.
He was later sworn in as President following the demise of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, who passed away at 37 Military Hospital after a short illness.
He was elected Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress and claimed 50.7% of electoral votes to lead the party to victory in the December 7 elections.
“I have just taken an oath that as President of this nation, I will work hard to place us on the right path and I will lead us over the hurdles and pass the obstacles that might threaten to keep us from meeting our goals. The promises that I have made are promises that I intend to keep."
He promised to resolve the unemployment challenges besetting the nation and also ensure more roads are constructed to ease the transportation problems in the country.
He further pledged to expand infrastructure to boost the progress of the nation.
“Over the course of the last four years, a tremendous amount of work has been done. Nevertheless, there is a tremendous amount of work that still needs to be done. More jobs must be created, more roads must be built; bridges, schools and hospitals must be built.”
He advised organizations and employees to adopt the appropriate working habits.
He added that under his leadership, government will make the necessary interventions to curb the energy, sanitation and water crises that have besieged the nation.
President John Mahama further said his government will invest in agriculture to yield high productivity and also enhance the progress of the economy.
He urged Ghanaians to entrust their confidence in him as he begins his mandate and also support him in his quest to transform and build the nation.
“My fellow citizens, Change does not happen overnight. And sometimes, despite whatever progress we make; it will appear to be darkest before the dawn of a new day makes that progress visible. In such times, I will be counting on you to maintain the faith and the trust that you have placed in me as President, and I promise I will not let you down.”
“Fellow countrywomen and men, of course every society has its first share of people who rather talk and complain about what is wrong than devote their time and effort to do what it takes to make things right. At every opportunity, they will tell us all the things we cannot achieve and all the reasons why we should not even attempt to achieve them. The choice is ours; to believe or not to believe. We can look within ourselves and choose to see the lie of our powerlessness or we can see the unlimited horizon of our own potentials.”
He touted the achievements of the heroes of the country and also acknowledged the efforts by the former President John Evans Atta Mills for initiating the Better Ghana Agenda, and former Presidents John Agyekum Kufour and Jerry John Rawlings for their selfless leadership in ensuring that Ghana becomes a beacon of hope to other nations.
President John Mahama pledged to do his best in order to “ensure that my actions make a positive difference in the lives of Ghanaians. I will work to ensure that our society is less polarized and less weighted down by the pressures of our political differences.
He stressed: "I will work to ensure that Ghana is a place where all our citizens regardless of their religious faith, their ethnicities or their political affiliation; will have the opportunities available to them to reach their full potentials” adding that “with God and in Ghana, all things are possible.”
Former Presidents John Agyekum Kufour and Jerry John Rawlings, and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings were among several dignitaries who graced the inaugural ceremony of President John Dramani Mahama.
Present at the function were President of Benin and Chairman of the African Union (AU), President Yayi Boni, Nigerian’s President, Jonathan Goodluck, President of Cote D'Ivoire, Alhassan Ouattara, Liberian President, Helen Johnson Sirleaf and other African Heads of State.
President John Dramani Mahama was ushered out by the Cavalry of the Ghana Police Service amidst cheers from the mammoth crowd of Ghanaians gathered at the Independence Square.
From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw
No comments:
Post a Comment