John Dramani Mahama sworn in as Ghana’s sixth president

John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been inaugurated as Ghana’s sixth President of the Fourth Republic, following a historic swearing-in ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo administered the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath to Mahama during the ceremony.

Preceding this, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang took the Vice Presidential oath, marking her as Ghana’s first female Vice President.

This victory returns Mahama to the presidency after previously serving from January 7, 2013, to January 6, 2017. His journey back to power is unprecedented in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, having lost an election and then securing a landslide victory in his third attempt.

Born in Damongo, Savannah Region, 66 years ago, Mahama has served Ghana at various levels, including as a Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister and Minister for Communications, Vice President, and President. His academic background in history, communications, and social psychology has deeply influenced his leadership philosophy.

During his first tenure, Mahama oversaw significant infrastructure development across sectors such as education, health, ports, aviation, ICT, and oil and gas. His administration laid a foundation for Ghana’s progress as a lower-middle-income country.

A staunch advocate for social justice and women’s empowerment, Mahama appointed numerous women to key positions and made history by selecting Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate in 2020 and again in 2024. Together, their victory ushers in a new era with Ghana‘s first female Vice President.