The swearing-in ceremony of President-elect John Dramani Mahama, scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, promises to be a grand occasion, with 21 Heads of State confirmed to attend.
A statement from the Ministry of Information on Monday, January 6, also revealed that three Vice Presidents, four Ministers, and 24 envoys will be present at the event.
The Ministry added that press accreditation for covering the inauguration is now available. Journalists, including international reporters who have applied for accreditation, are required to pick up their passes from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) office on January 6, 2025.
Accreditation is mandatory for all journalists, photographers, and videographers attending the event.
To ensure a smooth and high-quality 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 take place at the iconic Black Star Square and will include a parliamentary session, necessitating the relocation of Parliament’s sitting to the venue.
Preparations are in full swing to ensure a secure and well-organised event, with access to the parliamentary session restricted to invited guests only.
Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Clerk of Parliament told Citi News in an interview on Sunday, January 5 that preparations were about 80% complete.
“A lot of work has been done. The construction works on the grounds are 80% complete. We are replicating parliament. You can see clearly that the configurations here at the Blackstar Square mimic what obtains in parliament. In parliament, the speaker’s base is always on one end and the speaker sits and overlooks parliament. That is exactly what we have done.”
The Clerk also urged members of the incoming 9th Parliament to focus on their legislative roles rather than pursuing partisan agendas.
“Members of Parliament-elect must understand their responsibilities. They are not in Parliament to enforce party positions or pursue partisan interests. Political parties come to power based on a manifesto, which is meant to outline policies that promote national interest and development,” he advised.
Meanwhile, guests are expected to be seated by 08:30 hours, followed by Members of Parliament and other invited dignitaries. The Speaker will arrive to accompany the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect to the Chamber, where the proceedings are scheduled to begin at 11:00 hours.
To accommodate the event, certain roads in Accra, including the 28th February Road from CEPS Headquarters to Castle Road Junction, Castle Road from AU Circle to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, and Starlet 91 Road, will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic and will be reopened following the ceremony.
Traffic from the 28th February Road, originating 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 the back of the Independence Arch, Forecourt of the State House, Access Bank Car Park, Osu Cemetery Car Park, Ministries Areas, Ministry of Food and Agriculture Car Park, Marine Drive Football Park, and Efua Sutherland Car Park. No vehicles will be allowed to park at unauthorized places or drive through any of the roadblocks.
Source: citinewsroom.com