Ghana's Mahama Sworn-in As President, Vows To Boost Economy

John Dramani Mahama was sworn in for a second term as Ghanas president on Tuesday at a ceremony in the capital Accra, pledging to overcome public discontent by boosting the economy and creating much-needed jobs.

The opposition leader, 66, won the December 7 presidential election by a wide margin to stage a political comeback in the West African nation, the worlds number-two cocoa producer.

He replaces Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down after serving two terms, continuing Ghanas democratic tradition in a region gripped elsewhere by military coups and jihadist insurgencies.

Over 20 presidents and heads of state from around the world attended the rite in Accras independence square, the scene of Ghanaian presidential inaugurations since Kwame Nkrumah was sworn in over six decades ago.

We are a people battered by economic crises and hardships. But theres hope on the horizon, Mahama said in a speech to cheers from thousands of boisterous supporters.