John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as Ghana's president Monday, January 7, 2013, by Chief Justice Theodora Wood, following a disputed presidential and parliamentary polls. However, members of the main opposition party boycotted the ceremony, saying the vote was stolen.
Mahama took the oath of office before regional heads of state, dignitaries and tens of thousands of citizens Monday, 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's election victory was contested by the opposition New Patriotic Party, but Accra’s streets remained peaceful and thousands of Mahama supporters cheered and beat drums in support of their president.
The 54-year-old Mr. Mahama first took office in July following the death of former President John Atta Mills. He won the December 7 poll with an absolute majority of 50.7 percent, beating his main challenger, Nana Akufo-Addo, by three percent, according to the electoral commission.
Mahama's National Democratic Congress party also won a majority of the 275 seats in parliament.
The new president has promised to continue the initiatives of his predecessor to bring better infrastructure, schools and hospitals to the people of Ghana.
The inaugural ceremony was boycotted by the New Patriotic Party, which says the electoral commission counted invalid votes. International observers said the election was free and fair.
January 7, 2013; John Dramani Mahama sworn in as President of Ghana