President John Dramani Mahama was inaugurated as the President of the Republic of Ghana today, January 7, 2025.
The event was held at Independence Square in Accra.
Mahama’s speech emphasised accountability, innovation, and unity, calling on Ghanaians to join him in a national reset to build a more prosperous and resilient country.
Addressing Ghanaians from all walks of life, Mahama expressed gratitude to voters for their confidence in his leadership, promising that their votes would translate into tangible change.
Mahama outlined four key areas his administration will prioritise:
Economic restoration and stabilisationImprovement of the business and investment environment
Governance and constitutional reforms
Accountability and the fight against corruption
Below is the full speech
Inaugural Speech of President John Dramani Mahama
Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Members of Parliament, Your Excellency, the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Your Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Special Guest of Honour for this occasion, Your Excellencies, Presidents, Heads of Governments, and Development Agencies, Your Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Former Presidents, Your Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Distinguished Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, My Brothers and Sisters, I wish you a good morning, and we give thanks to the Almighty God on this occasion.
Our Father who art in Heaven, we thank you for giving us this day, a day that offers me, your humble servant, a unique opportunity to work to reset our dear country, Ghana.
Thirty-two years ago, on January 7th, Ghana made its first and most successful democratic transition, a reset, with the swearing-in of the newly democratically elected President, Jerry John Rawlings, of blessed memory. Our nation was returned to a multi-party democracy, with a new constitution that went into effect, and the Fourth Republic was officially established. I refer to it as a reset because, on that day in 1993, we made our fourth attempt at establishing a democratic system of government with term limits, based on free, fair, and transparent elections.
The handover of power on January 7th, 2001, between former President Jerry John Rawlings and, at the time, the newly elected President John Agyekum Kufuor tested that reset, and our nation passed with flying colours.
So today, with my induction as the new President of the Republic of Ghana, history is being made once again, and it is a history worth repeating every four years with each newly elected President.
Today, we are also making a different kind of history, one that speaks to our maturity as a democracy, a nation of citizens enfranchised with their authority at the polls to determine their political future.
Today’s exercise between the outgoing President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and I feels a bit like déjà vu. That is because eight years ago, to this day, on January 7th, 2017, we shared this same space and performed this same transitional exercise. At the time, I was the outgoing President, having served one term, and he was the incoming President, having been given a mandate by the people of Ghana to lead this great nation of ours.
He and I both understood on that day, as I am sure we do today, that it is the people of Ghana that we are elected to serve.
Somehow, it seems fitting that it is with Nana Akufo-Addo that I twice share this stage and this unique historical distinction, because Nana Akufo-Addo and I began our national political careers in Parliament in the same year, 1996.
He has always greeted me with warmth, a firm handshake, and a smile, and he is perhaps the only person in my life who has persistently chosen to call me “Johnny.”
While we belonged to opposing political parties, we shared a sense of mutual respect. In those early days, we probably could not have imagined that destiny would bring us to the leadership of our respective parties and that we would have to face off three separate times as we each vied for the highest office of the land.
Here is the continuation and conclusion of the corrected speech:
President John Dramani Mahama’s Inaugural Speech
… cornerstone of our society. Let’s work hand in hand to foster these values and strengthen our nation for everyone.
We must always remember that the progress of our nation does not lie in the hands of one individual, but in the collective strength, determination, and ingenuity of every Ghanaian. I call on all of us—young and old, urban and rural, across the political divide—to work together to build the Ghana we all dream of.
It is only through unity and shared purpose that we can overcome the challenges before us. Let us draw inspiration from our forebears, who through sacrifice and resilience laid the foundation upon which we stand today. Let us also be guided by the principles of fairness, equity, and justice in all that we do.
As your President, I pledge to listen, to learn, and to lead with humility. I will ensure that this government remains transparent, accountable, and focused on delivering results. Together, we will create a Ghana that is not just for the privileged few but for every citizen.
My fellow Ghanaians, today is not just a celebration of a new administration—it is a celebration of hope, opportunity, and the indomitable spirit of our people. It is a day that reminds us of the promise of our nation and the immense potential we hold as a united people.
To our youth, you are the future of this nation. Your energy, creativity, and drive will fuel our progress. My administration will prioritize your aspirations and ensure that you have the tools and opportunities to succeed.
To the women of Ghana, who are the backbone of our society, your empowerment will remain a central focus of our policies. We will work to break barriers, shatter ceilings, and create an environment where your contributions are recognized and celebrated.
To our elders, we honor your wisdom and sacrifices. Your guidance will continue to shape our decisions as we navigate the complexities of governance.
Finally, to every Ghanaian, whether at home or in the diaspora, I say this: This is your country. This is your government. This is your moment. Let us seize it together and create a legacy of which we can all be proud.
As I conclude, I ask for your prayers, your support, and your active participation in this journey. Let us build a Ghana that is the envy of the world—a Ghana that reflects the values, hopes, and dreams of its people.
May God bless you all. May God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.
I thank you.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
