ACCRA, Jan 2 (Futball Surgery)- Ghana’s newly elect into power National Democratic Congress party has announced outlined activities to mark the presidential inauguration of the party’s candidate John Dramani Mahama as new president of the country.
The activities involve political, cultural and religious programs to commemorate the swear-in of John Mahama as new president of the West African country.
The presidential inauguration will take place January 7 in the New Year at Ghana’s public square, Independence Square also known as Black Star Square- an open place for national military and civic parades.
The outlined activities will start three days to swear-in day Saturday January 4 and end 5 days after the inauguration January 12, 2025, and will begin with victory celebration across all constituencies before a walk in the capital.
Ghana’s new administration did not give a chronology of activities but said in a press statement issued and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, that the party will organized a victory celebration at all constituencies, a victory walk in Accra, and national victory concert to be held at the forecourt of the newly built University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
The activities also include national Muslim prayers to be held at the National Mosque, Kanda- middle and high-income area a few kilometres northeast of the Accra city centre, and at all mosques across the country as well as a National Thanksgiving Service at the Independence Square in the final day Sunday, January 12.
In between these activities is the main inauguration program that will be witnessed by many global figures from Africa and around the world.
“As we prepare for the momentous occasion of the swearing-in of John Dramani Mahama as President of the Republic of Ghana on 7th January, 2025, I write to inform you of the programme of activities planned ahead of this significant event”, Mr Fifi Kwetey’s statement read.
The statement also said the victory of Mr Mahama during the 2024 presidential election was a testament to the collective resolve of the NDC to deliver progress and prosperity to the Ghanaian people.
The General Secretary, on behalf of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the NDC, congratulated all regional and constituency executives, as well as the entire membership of the political party for their efforts and dedication to ensuring that it won the 2024 general elections.
The statement urged all regional and constituency executives to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to ensure that the series of planned activities outlined by the party will be successful.
The NDC and Mahama beat the New Patriotic Party and Mahamudu Bawumia to the presidential power in the 2024 December polls after securing 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the valid votes cast.
The victory, which was boldly predicted by national opinion poll, ends the NPP Akufo-Addo’s 8-year in two consecutive terms reign, and marks John Mahama’s second term return.
Mahama ruled Ghana as president from 2012 to 2017, at first, becoming the head of state in a swear-in ceremony on Wednesday July 2012, hours after the announcement of then president John Atta Mills’ death on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is the saddest day in our nation’s history. Tears have engulfed our nation and we are deeply saddened and distraught,” Mahama said via Al Jazeera after being sworn in.
“I never imagined that one day that it would place our nation in such a difficult circumstance. I’m personally devastated, I’ve lost a father, I’ve lost a friend, I’ve lost a mentor and a senior comrade,” he said.
“Ghana is united in grief at this time for our departed president.”
Mahama was elected into full-time presidency in the country’s December 2012 elections with 50.7% of the votes.
In that swear-in ceremony, Mahama took the oath of office before regional heads of state, dignitaries and tens of thousands of Ghanaian citizens Monday Janaury 7, 2013, promising he would not let his country down.
“There is a torch that is passed from one era of Ghanaians to the next. It is fragile and as irreplaceable as any family treasure,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, that torch is now in our possession …It is doing our best that we can make Ghana its best… I will do my best, I will give of my best and I will ensure that my actions make a positive difference in the lives of Ghanaians, ” Mahama said.
In his acceptance speech, President Mahama called on Ghanaians to be patient with him. “The promises that I have made are promises that I intend to keep. But my fellow citizens, change does not happen overnight. 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,” Mahama said via DW.
