Ghana ready for inauguration of the fourth President

Ghana is set for the inauguration of the fourth President under the Fourth Republic on Monday January 7, at the Independence Square, Accra, the nation’s capital city.

President John Dramani Mahama will be sworn in as President of the Republic of Ghana for a four-year first term, following his victory in the December Presidential election.

He will take the Presidential Oath and the Oath of Allegiance, to be administered by the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, before Members of Parliament, and dignitaries, including scores of Heads of State from various countries.

Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur is also expected to take the oath of the Vice President and the Oath of Allegiance.

Both President Mahama and Vice President Amissah-Arthur will swear on the Bible and sign documents containing the oaths.

The coronation of the fourth President will be witness by Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Speaker of Parliament, Service Commanders, Heads of Institutions, traditional and religious leaders, political party leaders and a cross section of the public.

Scores of African Heads of State had confirmed their participation, and 18 other foreign delegates have also confirmed their participation.

Ghana News Agency observed at the Independence Square that work has reached advanced stage, three days to the inauguration, as workers including security personnel were busily putting things in order.

GNA observed the pulling down of dilapidated structures, erection of canopies, painting of de-faced structures, and setting up of military markings on the ground for security contingents.

Musical groups, including the Army Central Band, were rehashing fervently for the event and security personnel were undergoing final drilling.

Meanwhile the Ghana Police Service on Thursday said a number of roads in Accra would be closed from 0600 hours to 1800 hours on Monday, January 7th, 2013, in connection with the inaugural ceremony of President-elect John Dramani Mahama.

The roads are the 28th February Road - from the CEPS Headquarters to the Castle Junction, the Osu cemetery traffic light on the Lokko street, Starlets 95 Road to Ministries Traffic light and the Castle Road from the African Union circle to the Osu Cemetery