John Mahama was sworn in as Ghana’s president for the third time on Tuesday, January 7, as the country grapples with its most severe economic crisis in a generation.
Mahama, 65, who previously served as president from July 2012 to January 2017, won the presidential election in December after pledging to address the nation’s deepening economic troubles, rampant corruption, and high unemployment.
He succeeds Nana Akufo-Addo, whose administration faced criticism for its handling of the country’s economic downturn. Mahama first became president in 2012 following the death of President John Evans Atta Mills, completing the remainder of Mills’ term before winning a full term later that year.
During his campaign, Mahama promised to “reset” the country, focusing heavily on revitalizing the economy. His message resonated with young Ghanaians, many of whom view the election as an opportunity to escape the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The election, held in December, included both presidential and parliamentary races and was seen as a critical test of Ghana’s democratic stability amid rising instability in West Africa. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) praised the election as largely peaceful, continuing Ghana’s tradition of relatively stable democratic processes.
Business leaders and citizens have expressed hope that Mahama’s administration will bring about needed changes. Andrew Takyi, founder of the fintech company Zee Pay, told The Associated Press, “I am hopeful that President Mahama will use the 24-hour economy he campaigned on to improve the country. He can use that to widen the tax base of small and medium enterprises to improve revenue.”
Innocent Appiah, a senior media research officer at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, said he expects the new government to focus on transparency and accountability in the extractive industries. “I anticipate policies that promote value addition, local content development, and community engagement, ultimately leading to increased revenue generation and socio-economic benefits for Ghanaians,” he said.
Enyonam Agble, a trader attending the inauguration, expressed frustration over the previous administration’s corruption. “There was so much corruption under President Akufo-Addo, and all we want is the recovery of all that had been stolen to rebuild the country,” Agble said.
Mahama’s return to power comes at a critical moment for Ghana, with the nation facing challenges both at home and abroad.