President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has promised to work with the newly-elected Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), to advance the peace, progress and prosperity of the Ghanaian people.
In his inaugural address shortly after taking the oath of office for his second term as President on Thursday, 7 December 2020, Nana Akufo-Addo congratulated Mr Bagbin, who had been his colleague lawmaker for years, on his elevation to the position of Speaker.
Nana Akufo-Addo said: “I must, at the outset, express my warm congratulations to my good friend and colleague of many years in this House, the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on his assumption of office as the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of the 4th Republic”.
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Counting of ballot papers to determine who will become the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament was disrupted when the Member of Parliament (MP) elect for Tema West, Kingsley Carlos Ahenkorah, snatched some ballot papers and attempted to flee from the Chamber.
That was after Mr. Ahenkorah who was not part of those counting the ballot papers had sensed the possibility of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) nominated Speaker, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, losing out to his National Democratic Congress (NDC) proposed candidate, Mr. Alban Bagbin.
That interruption came after the counting of the first set of ballot papers by the clerks of Parliament and the NDC member for Asawase, Mohmmed-Mubarak Muntaka, had signaled his colleague NDC MPs-elect that they had won the first counting by two votes.
[Full speech] Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in address LISTEN
JAN 7, 2021
Inaugural address by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at his swearing-in as President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
Mr Speaker,
I extend a hearty akwaaba, our word of welcome, to their Excellencies, the distinguished leaders of sister states from our region and continent, as well as to eminent representatives from other friendly nations and international organisations, who are gathered here in the vibrant city of Accra, capital of Ghana, to join us on this auspicious occasion. I thank each and every one of you for being present at this inauguration of my second mandate, COVID-19 notwithstanding. Your attendance is an expression of solidarity and friendship that speaks volumes of your attachment to the goals and aspirations of the Ghanaian people and State, for which we are very grateful.
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Inaugural address by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at his swearing-in as President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
Mr Speaker,
I extend a hearty akwaaba, our word of welcome, to their Excellencies, the distinguished leaders of sister states from our region and continent, as well as to eminent representatives from other friendly nations and international organisations, who are gathered here in the vibrant city of Accra, capital of Ghana, to join us on this auspicious occasion. I thank each and every one of you for being present at this inauguration of my second mandate, COVID-19 notwithstanding. Your attendance is an expression of solidarity and friendship that speaks volumes of your attachment to the goals and aspirations of the Ghanaian people and State, for which we are very grateful.
President Akufo-Addo [Right] shake hands with Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin [Left]
President Akufo-Addo has made his determined to work with the newly elected Speaker of the 8th Parliament Alban Bagbin.
He said they will both work to advance the peace, progress, and prosperity of the Ghanaian people.
The President made this pledge while delivering his inaugural speech on Thursday during his swearing-in ceremony.
After acknowledging and congratulating Alban Bagbin on his election to the high office, the President revealed that although they are both from different political parties, they will work together for the good of the country.
“Together, you and I will be chartering new territory in the governance and politics of the 4th Republic, for this is the first time in the life of this Republic that a President from one party will be obliged, by the exigencies of the moment and the will of the people, to work, in all sincerity and co-operation, with a Speaker of Parliame