Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have been sworn into office as President and Vice President of Ghana today Thursday, January 7, 2021.
The two were State members-elect after the general elections in December and will be serving their second term as President and Vice, having served their first four-year term between January 2016 and January 2021
The swearing-in ceremony was held in accordance with Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution states that “Before assuming office the President shall take and subscribe before Parliament the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath set out in the Second Schedule to this Constitution.”
Some have interpreted the dictate of the constitution as having the president-elect being sworn in anywhere parliament is convened and not necessarily within the precincts of the Parliament House.
For this reason, the swearing-in of newly elected presidents in recent times has been done at the Independence Square of Ghana but following a proposal by the leadership of the 7th parliament, the swearing-in of Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia took place today within the precincts of the House of Parliament.
President Akufo-Addo won the election with 51.3 percent of the votes while the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama followed with 47.7 percent of the valid votes cast.
The NDC has however failed to accept the results, attributing its decision to alleged malfeasance in the polls.
Mr. Mahama’s petition is seeking among others, a declaration from the Supreme Court to the effect that, “the purported declaration of the results of the 2020 Presidential Election on the 9th day of December 2020 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
Presidential Inauguration Day
At least 13 African Heads of State are currently present and in attendance at the ceremony which is strictly by invitation.
The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, President of Liberia, George Weah, and the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara are among some of the thirteen heads of State who joined Ghanaians today for the swearing-in ceremony of President and Vice Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia respectively.
Taking the presidential oath of office and oath of allegiance, Nana Akufo Addo said: “I will be faithful and true to the Republic of Ghana. I will at all times preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of Ghana.”
Speaking at his Presidential inauguration, H.E. Nana Akufo Addo in his first address revealed plans to improve the lives of Ghanaians while congratulating the newly elected Speakers and Members of Parliament.
“We described last year as the year of roads. This year will be the second year of roads”, “We have started building hospitals in the districts that don’t have one,” Akufo Addo said.
He further added that schools are being reopened but citizens must join in to develop, and safety the country.
“We have taken bold steps to open our schools again. We will do everything to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, and non-teaching staff”
“I invite all of you to join in the development of our country”, “It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and this can be found in African unity”
“Divided we are weak but united Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world”
“Let’s be up and doing. Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless us and our homeland, Ghana,” he added.
Discussion about this post