PRESIDENT JOHN Dramani Mahama and Vice Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur have been sworn in amidst tight security following the boycott of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Hundreds of NDC supporters and other dignitaries from all walks of life converged on the Independence Square in Accra yesterday to catch a glimpse of the re-elected president.
The NPP and its members of parliament were conspicuously missing at the ceremony, making former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Ghana�s former Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, the only visible NPP members at the event.
The NPP�s boycott was in solidarity with its party leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, who is challenging John Mahama�s victory at the Supreme Court alleging that the December 7 and 8 general elections were flawed by massive rigging in favour of the ruling NDC.
NPP MPs had earlier taken part in the swearing in and the selection of parliamentary leadership positions in Parliament House only to return to their homes in line with the party�s position regarding the inauguration.
Security was very tight as journalists were restricted to a particular area, making the taking of photographs very difficult.
Over 600 media personnel had applied for accreditation but only 60, representing 10 percent, were accredited leaving most media persons stranded at the various entry points.
President Mahama, after taking the oaths of allegiance and secrecy, assured Ghanaians that he would not let them down. He said the past was a �prologue, a mere introduction of what is to come� adding that �if that was anything to go by, then Ghana is yet to experience the best.�
He said with courage, sacrifice and perseverance Ghana would make it.
The president said Ghana had globally been credited for the peaceful legacy of handing over power from one leader to the other.
Legacy
He noted that most of the country�s leaders had come from a very humble background like Yaa Asantewaa, Kwame Nkrumah, Tetteh Quarshie, JB Danquah, his predecessors and others whose contributions had brought the country this far.
He encouraged Ghanaians not to be complacent or believe that they were insignificant as everyone had a role to play in developing the country.
�Complacency and frustration can entice us into believing that we are insignificant players stuck somehow in the background of a bigger picture, or that we are incapable of making a difference. But history itself has proven that nothing could be further from the truth.�
He observed that the success or failure of Ghana lay in the hands of Ghanaians.
�There is no denying the fact that Ghana has chalked some successes. However, it is still a young country. Therefore, more needs to be done,� he added.
He said that more roads, bridges, schools and hospitals should be built. �The infrastructure that we already have must be expanded, strengthened, and made better able to withstand the increased usage.�
He added that �equipment should not be the only thing that is state-of-the-art in our institutions; systems, procedures and staff must be brought up to standard; best practices must be implemented.�
He promised to keep to the promises he made to the Ghanaians.
�But change does not happen overnight and sometimes, despite whatever progress has been placed in motion, it will appear to be darkest before the dawn of the new day makes that progress visible.
In such times, I will be counting on you to maintain the faith and the trust that you have placed in me as president. I will not let you down.�
He promised the business community that he would be their ally and ensure a congenial climate for their businesses to thrive.
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