[LIVE] Akufo-Addo formally sworn in as Ghana's president, gets 21-gun salute

The Black Star square in Ghana’s capital, Accra, is the venue of the swearing-in ceremony for Ghana’s new president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his vice-president, Mahamudu Bawumia.

Akufo-Addo led the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 polls, defeating the incumbent John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

As per the laws of Ghana, a transition of 30-days was observed as teams from the outgoing government and the incoming one met to exchange notes on the state of the country. A large number of people have converged from all walks of life to witness the event.

The state-owned newspapers, Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times described the event as “Dawn of a new era.” Akuffo Addo becomes the 5th president under the fourth republican constitution which came into effect in 1992.

This morning we head to the Black Star Square for the inauguration of HE NAkufoAddo as the 5th Prez of the 4th Republic of Ghana

— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (konkrumah) January 7, 2017

Photos: Ghana swears in Akufo-Addo, its 5th President in the 4th Republic

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo takes the oath of office during the swearing-in ceremony lead by Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood at Independence Square in Accra, Ghana

Ghana’s new President Nana Akufo-Addo inspects a military parade after the swearing in ceremony at Independence Square in Accra, Ghana

Ghana’s Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia is sworn in at the Independence square in Accra,Ghana

MORE PHOTOS Colour & tradition meets politics as Ghana swears in President

Ghana’s election since the return to multi-party democracy – 1992 till date

Ghana returned to multi-party democracy in 1992, here are a few facts worth noting

1. Since 1992, all three presidents of Ghana has the English name, ‘John’

2. There are 25 political parties according to the EC but 2 main parties have dominated the political landscape, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)

3. A parallel of sorts with the US election is that whenever a Democrat wins in the US, the NDC wins in Ghana, the reverse serves true.

4. For the first time in Ghana’s history, a woman was leader of the elections regulatory body, Charlotte Osei filled the boots of Afari Gyan who organized the last five elections.

5. Two of the three former presidents (Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor) had their mandates renewed – i.e. they got second terms in office.

6. The other president, John Evans Atta Mills died in office in 2012, his then vice – John Dramani Mahama – replaced him and won the last polls beating Akufo Addo in 2012.

7. For the first time, a woman made it to the presidential ballot sheet, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings – a former first lady – was hoping to break the ‘glass ceiling’ in Ghana.

Who is Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo? – 10 Top facts

1. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was born and raised in Accra Central. His father was among the founding fathers of Ghana’s independence struggle popularly referred to as “The BIG SIX.”

2. Akufo-Addo received his primary education first at the Government Boys School, Adabraka, and later at the Rowe Road School (now Kinbu), both in Accra Central.

3. He went to England to study for his O-Level and A-Level examinations at Lancing College, Sussex. He returned to Ghana in 1962 to teach

4. He read Economics at the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1964, earning a BSc(Econ) degree in 1967. He subsequently studied law in the UK and was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in July 1971. Akufo-Addo was called to the Ghana bar in July 1975.

5. In 1975, he returned home to Accra to continue with his legal career. He joined the chambers of U.V. Campbell from 1975 to 1979, and in 1979 co-founded the law firm Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co., which has become one of the prominent law firms in Ghana.

6. Akufo-Addo used his law practice to champion the cause of human rights, rule of law, justice, freedom, and democracy. He was well known for giving free legal assistance to the poor and fought for the rights and liberties of the Ghanaian people.

7. In 1992, he was the first national organiser of the NPP and, later that year, campaign manager of the party’s first presidential candidate, Prof. Albert Adu Boahen.

8. Akufo-Addo was elected three times between 1996 and 2008 as Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa South constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana.

9. From 2001 to 2007, as Cabinet Minister, first as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for two years, and later as Foreign Minister for five years, Akufo-Addo served in the government of President Kufuor – the second president of rge fourth republic.

10. In August 2006, Akufo-Addo chaired the meeting of the Security Council which took the decision that halted Israel’s massive incursions into Lebanon.

Highlights from President Akufo-Addo’s first speech

• It is time to define what being a Ghanaian ought to mean. Being a Ghanaian must mean you sign up to a definable code of conduct.
• I shall protect the public purse by insisting on value for money in all transactions.
• It is time to imagine and dream again. Ghana is opened for business again.
• It is time to define what being a Ghanaian ought to mean. Being a Ghanaian must mean you sign up to a definable code of conduct.
• I will not let you, the people of Ghana, down.

#ChangeStartsNow #Inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/LlamUaGDZB

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) January 7, 2017

LIVE coverage by local news channel – Joy FM and Joy News

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President officially sworn-in, takes his seat and gets 21-man salute

21 gun salute fired by the Ghana Armed Forces as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo finish taking his oath of office/allegiance. #GhInaug

— Ghana Decides (@GhanaDecides) January 7, 2017

Chief Justice Wood now leads President-elect NAkufoAddo to take the presidential oath of office. Crowd cheers. #GhInaug

— Ghana Decides (GhanaDecides) January 7, 2017

President shares his “presidential oath”

The Presidential Oath. #Inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/jCVh70RIvL

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) January 7, 2017

Vice-president takes his oath

Yaaay finally oh

Bawumia is the Vice president of Ghana

Kai the greatest economist on planet earth pic.twitter.com/Y1UdnL8chP

— MR NII KWAME ASANTE (@NiiKwameDennis) January 7, 2017

Incoming Vice President and wife arrive

Mahamudu Bawumia, the incoming vice president and his wife have arrived at the venue. All attention is now on the arrival of the incoming president then official proceedings can kick off. The incoming vice president’s wife tweets.

Just arrived at the Black Star Square for the inauguration of H.E. NAkufoAddo and my husband H.E MBawumia
🇬🇭 #Inauguration2017

— Samira Bawumia (@SBawumia) January 7, 2017

More African leaders and representatives of government continue to file in

Ouattara – guest of honour – flew in this morning. After him was President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Touadera. Ouattara skipped the inspection of guard of honour but Touadera observed it.

Immediate past president John Mahama and his vice arrive

Ex-president JDMahama has arrived at the Black Star Square.#ElectionHQ

— Joy 99.7 Fm (Joy997FM) January 7, 2017

Ex-Vice President KBAmissahArthur has also arrived at the Black Star Square.#ElectionHQ

— Joy 99.7 Fm (Joy997FM) January 7, 2017

Special guest of honour, Alassane Ouattara believes Akufo-Addo will succeed

The Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, who is the Special Guest of Honour, says he believes that Ghana’s incoming president, Nana Akufo-Addo will succeed as leader.

Ouattara says he will continue to increase cooperation between the two countries who have a long standing relationship over the years.

African leaders in attendance include:

1. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari
2. Zambian President Edgar Lungu
3. Equatorial Guinea Vice President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
3. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
4. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi
5. Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma
6. Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome
7. Chadian President Idriss Déby.