Since the end of military rule in 1992, Ghana has been a multi-party democracy and the recent peaceful transfer of power between administrations is a reinforcement of this reputation as well as the beginning of “better days ahead” as quoted by new president Nana Akufo-Addo who has also vowed to revive the country’s economy.
72-year old Mr Nana Akufo-Addo a former human rights lawyer from the New Patriotic Party was sworn in as Ghana’s 54th president after being elected on his third attempt and raining victorious over John Mahama in the last elections.
The new president has certainly ignited enthusiasm in the Ghanaian people who have expressed a new hope for the country through their new leader however; the president does have his critics and detractor campaigns have already began with the inauguration service which was blighted by accusations of the new president plagiarising previous speeches from President Bill Clinton and George Bush.
In his inauguration speech, Akufo-Addo said ““I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building communities and a nation of character”; taken from George Bush’s 2001 presidential inaugural speech. The new president elect also took a portion from Clinton’s January 20, 1993 speech and told the nation, “Ghanaians have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people.” 

These accusations have been responded to by the communications director for the office of the president, Eugene Arhin who has apologised on behalf of the president for the “oversight” in not quoting the original author.

This plagiarism matter is minor when considering the bigger picture especially for the newly sworn in president to a country that has been described as the “gold standard for democracy in Africa”.

The inauguration for the transfer of power was held on Saturday 7th January 2017 and was attended by dignitaries, heads of states and special guests from around the world who watched Akufo-Addo take the oath of office at Independence Square in Accra.

The image below was taken at the inauguration dinner and is of the president with Mr Fifi Thompson (a successful technology entrepreneur and an associate of Your magazine). Full coverage from the inauguration events will be featured in the next edition of Your magazine.

Samantha Rockson