.We’ll lift West African nations out of poverty- Tinubu
.Assures Mahama of Nigeria’s support
.Says our bond is strong, no one can break it
John Dramani Mahama, on Tuesday, took oath of office as Ghana’s new president in a ceremony attended by world leaders.
The 66-year-old new president, wearing the West African country’s national dress, was sworn-in in Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
Among those present were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.
Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea as well as former leaders and officials also attended the inauguration.
Former Nigerian Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were also in attendance.
Mahama took over from Nana Akufo-Ado who succeeded him in 2017.
Mahama held a Bible as he took the oath of office.
Before his swearing-in, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was inaugurated as the country’s first female vice president.
The Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Torkornoo, administered the oath of office.
“Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” Mahama told a jubilant crowd decked in the green, red, black, and white hues of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
Mahama won the election held in December, returning to the post he left seven years ago with a mission to revive Ghana’s ailing economy.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate polled 50 per cent of the votes to defeat the then vice president Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling party.
He scored 6.3 million votes to defeat Bawumia with a 1.7 million vote margin. Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had immediately conceded defeat in the election.
Mahama had ruled Ghana between 2012 and early 2017. He had previously failed twice to win back the presidency but in December’s election managed to tap into expectations of change among Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has given assurance he and other West African leaders are ready to lift the sub-region out of poverty and build strong and resilient economies for the people.
President Tinubu gave the remark on Tuesday, in Accra, Ghana at the swearing-in of President John Mahama, saying Nigeria and Ghana will work together to strengthen the bond that will lead to greater shared prosperity.
Tinubu has also, told the new President of Ghana, John Mahama, that his country can always count on Nigeria’s support for national development.
He further noted that Mahama’s administration would mark the beginning of properity between the two nations.
“Even when we disagree, we must choose the path of peaceful dialogue. Your new President is a man of patriotic vision and substance; he loves his nation and people to the core. Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you, you can always count on Nigeria’s support at any given time you call on me. We will work together to bring prosperity to the people of our two nations.
Tinubu who is the chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) noted, “Today, we celebrate African Democracy as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another.
“This moment does not merely symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society, it further demonstrates that in West Africa, we are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. It is time that our continent’s critics stop forgetting the strides that Ghana, Nigeria and others have made. We need not prove ourselves to them. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have the capacity. We shall find the critical path to our success. We will lift our nations out of poverty and build strong and resilient economies for our people.
“Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support of Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.”
He further stated, “The sun is out, and the sky may be blue, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.
“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star reminds us, always, to strive and work together. Even when we disagree, we must choose the path of peaceful dialogue. Never, can we do harm to our brothers nor can we permit any outsider to disrupt our bonds of brotherhood.
“The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the closeWe will lift West African nations out of poverty, says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has given assurance he and other West African leaders are ready to lift the sub-region out of poverty and build strong and resilient economies for the people.
President Tinubu gave the remark on Tuesday, in Accra, Ghana at the swearing-in of President John Mahama, saying Nigeria and Ghana will work together to strengthen the bond that will lead to greater shared prosperity.
Tinubu who is the chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) noted, “Today, we celebrate African Democracy as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another.
“This moment does not merely symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society, it further demonstrates that in West Africa, we are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. It is time that our continent’s critics stop forgetting the strides that Ghana, Nigeria and others have made. We need not prove ourselves to them. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have the capacity. We shall find the critical path to our success. We will lift our nations out of poverty and build strong and resilient economies for our people.
“Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support of Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.”
He further stated, “The sun is out, and the sky may be blue, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.
“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star reminds us, always, to strive and work together. Even when we disagree, we must choose the path of peaceful dialogue. Never, can we do harm to our brothers nor can we permit any outsider to disrupt our bonds of brotherhood.
“The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.”
While commenting on patriotic vision of the new President, Tinubu noted, “He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.”
President Tinubu described Mahama as his brother, noting “I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.
“I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.
He added, “Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.
“May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion,” Tinubu prayed for cordial relationship between our two nations.”
While commenting on patriotic vision of the new President, Tinubu noted, “He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.”
President Tinubu described Mahama as his brother, noting “I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.
“I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.
He added, “Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.
“May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion,” Tinubu prayed.
