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Barely eight hours from now(6am), President-elect John Dramani Mahama, 66, would be riding back to the seat of government-Jubilee House-with the full powers of the state bestowed on him to steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.
Stories by Nana Kwame Owusu
His swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 11 am this morning, after winning the 7 December 2024 elections with over six million (6,000,000) votes promises to be a grand occasion, with 21 Heads of State confirmed to attend.
Former president John Mahama’s resurrection tale, which has shocked the world with neighbour Burkina Faso military leader cheering, adds to Mahama’s feat as a talisman of a leader who should be a symbol of study on perseverance.
That Mahama’s victory defied prophetic vibes and created sharp divisions among Ghana’s lead prophetic community adds to the mystery over the December 2024 elections.
That said, however, John Mahama has a tall order fulfilling his vision and mission assailed by a demanding electorate and party apparatchiki. That is also besides fears that with both leading political parties running the same economic structures, major transformation from John Mahama may be his fourth miracle.
A statement from the Ministry of Information on Monday, January 6, also revealed that three Vice Presidents, four Ministers, and 24 envoys would also be present at the event.
The iconic Black Star Square would host the ceremony, including a parliamentary session, necessitating the relocation of Parliament’s sitting to the venue.
Guests are expected to be seated by 08:30 hours, followed by Members of Parliament and other invited dignitaries. The Speaker will arrive to accompany the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect to the Chamber, where the proceedings are scheduled to begin at 11:00 hours.
To accommodate the event, certain roads in Accra, including the 28th February Road from CEPS Headquarters to Castle Road Junction, Castle Road from AU Circle to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, and Starlet 91 Road, will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic and will be reopened following the ceremony.
Traffic from the 28th February Road, originating from La, Labone, and Osu towards the Central Business District, will be redirected to the Salem Avenue Traffic Light at the Castle Traffic Light to connect with Oxford Street. Additionally, traffic from John Evans Atta Mills High Street heading towards Black Star Square will be redirected.
Designated parking areas for the ceremony include the back of the Independence Arch, Forecourt of the State House, Access Bank Car Park, Osu Cemetery Car Park, Ministries Areas, Ministry of Food and Agriculture Car Park, Marine Drive Football Park, and Efua Sutherland Car Park. No vehicles will be allowed to park at unauthorized places or drive through any of the roadblocks.
To minimise disruptions, however, the following diversions will be in place:
Traffic from 28th February Road (La, Labone, and Osu) heading to the Central Business District (CBD) will be redirected onto Salem Avenue at Castle Traffic Light, connecting to Oxford Street.
Vehicles on John Evans Atta Mills High Street heading towards Black Star Square will be diverted onto Liberia Road at CEPS Headquarters Traffic Light, linking to the National Theatre Traffic Lights Intersection.
Motorists on Lokko Street heading towards Castle Road should use Ajumaku Street and Oxford Street.
Traffic from AU Circle to Castle Road through Osu Cemetery Traffic Light will be rerouted via Abdul Diouf and King Hassan Roads to connect with Abdul Nassar Gamel Road near the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
The Ministry has urged motorists to use alternative routes and comply with directives from security personnel.
