John Dramani Mahama was sworn in on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as Ghana’s President, marking his return to the nation’s highest office after defeating incumbent Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 presidential election. This victory also ushered in a historic moment for the country, as Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang became Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The inauguration ceremony, held at Independence Square in Accra, saw Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo administer the oath of office.
Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured a decisive victory in December’s polls, winning 56.6% of the vote, compared to Bawumia’s 41.6%. This 15% margin represented Ghana’s largest electoral gap in 24 years.
The former president expressed gratitude to Ghanaians, noting their trust in him during challenging times. “I feel humbled that we have chalked one of the best results in Ghana’s electoral history,” Mahama said. He also celebrated the milestone of having a female vice president, saying, “Ghana has made history with the choice of Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.”
Mahama returns to the presidency as Ghana faces its worst economic crisis in a generation, with rising unemployment, inflation, and environmental concerns from illegal gold mining. His administration has pledged to address these issues with urgency.
The NDC dominated the election, winning 13 out of Ghana’s 16 regions and securing a two-thirds majority in parliament. The voter turnout was 60.9%, with Mahama garnering 6.3 million votes, compared to Bawumia’s 4.5 million.
Vice President Bawumia conceded defeat, emphasizing the need to maintain peace in Ghana. “I am doing this to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country,” he stated.
