Twenty-one Heads of State are in Accra, Ghana to witness the swearing-in of Ghana’s president-elect, H.E. John Dramani Mahama. Confirmed attendees include Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, (list will be updated)
In addition to the Heads of State, the Ministry of Information announced on Monday, January 6, that three Vice Presidents, four Ministers, and 24 envoys will also be present at the inauguration. The Ministry emphasized that press accreditation is mandatory for all journalists, photographers, and videographers covering the event.
To ensure a seamless broadcast experience, the production of the inauguration ceremony will be centralized. Television channels will receive a feed, and media outlets requiring a clean feed must have a minimum internet speed of 4mbps. The inauguration will occur at the iconic Black Star Square and include a parliamentary session, necessitating the relocation of Parliament’s sitting to the venue.
Guests are expected to be seated by 08:30 am, followed by Members of Parliament and other invited dignitaries. The Speaker will accompany the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect to the Chamber, where the proceedings begin at 10:00 am.
The government has implemented comprehensive security and logistical arrangements for the visiting dignitaries, including temporary road closures around key venues from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on inauguration day. To accommodate the event, certain roads in Accra will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic and will be reopened following the ceremony. These roads include:
i. 28th February Road: from CEPS Headquarters to Castle Road Junction
ii. Castle Road: from AU Circle to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light
iii. Starlet 91 Road: Adjacent to the Black Star Square
Traffic from the 28th February Road, 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:
i.The back of the Independence Arch
ii. Forecourt of the State House, Access Bank Car Park
iii. Osu Cemetery Car Park
iv . Ministries Areas
v. Ministry of Food and Agriculture Car Park
vi. Marine Drive Football Park
vii. Efua Sutherland Car Park
No vehicles will be allowed to park at unauthorized places or drive through any of the roadblocks.
