• We are working hard for prosperity of our people
• Mahama steps in, promises reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged world leaders to change their negative perception of Africa.

According to him, African leaders are working hard for the prosperity of their respective countries.

He called for collaborative efforts to tackle social and economic malaise plaguing the continent.

Speaking as a special guest of honour at the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as Ghana’s 12th president in Accra yesterday, President Tinubu said: “We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves.

“We have found the critical path to our success.

“We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

“With  focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.”

Mahama, president of the country between 2012 and 2017, returned to power after taking his oath of office before many dignitaries from Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Many heads of state were in Accra for the event. These include: Presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Felix Tshisekedi (Congo DR), Paul Kagame (Rwandan), Brice Oligui Nguema (Gabon), and Mamadi Doumbouya (Guinea).

Other dignitaries include United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa Lord Collins, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, former Ghanaian Presidents John Kuffor and Nana Akufo-Addo, former Nigeria’s Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, former Ghanaian First Lady Mrs. Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and wife of immediate past Vice President Mrs. Samira Bawumia.

Foreign delegations, envoys, industry leaders, politicians and traditional rulers also witnessed the event.

President Tinubu was accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu.

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun) were at the event as well as the Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga.

Mahama succeeded Akufo-Addo, who stepped down after serving two terms.

He polled over 50 per cent of the votes, a landmark President Tinubu said reflected the deepening of democracy in Africa.

“Today, I am here, not only as the President of Nigeria, but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people,” he said.

The President described Mahama’s inauguration as a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, Africa, and the Diaspora.

He added: “We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another.

“This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society.

“It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.”

President Tinubu said as Ghana drew inspiration and strength from its first leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and other past leaders, Nigeria also drew inspiration from its founding leaders, who fought for her independence and cherished the close relationship between the two nations.

He added: “May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders. Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.”

Hailing Ghanaias for electing Mahama,  President Tinubu said: “Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core.

“He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.”

He expressed confidence that the new government under Mahama would work with Nigeria to strengthen the powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for the citizens of the countries.

President Tinubu stressed: “I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

“Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing sub-regional integration and progress.”

Assuring the Ghanaian leader of his support, Tinubu said: “President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you.

“You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

“It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.

“It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria, and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves.

“We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves.”

He said African nations would stand firm against external forces seeking to disrupt their unity.

President Tinubu added: “Never, never shall we harm others, and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.”

President Tinubu also expressed optimism about a future of shared prosperity for Africa, guided by the principles of dialogue and cooperation.

He said: “Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity. God bless Ghana, Nigeria, ECOWAS, and our beloved Africa.”

Mahama to boost economy

Mahama promised to overcome public discontent by boosting the economy, creating jobs, initiating constitutional reforms and fostering good governance.

“We are a people battered by economic crises and hardships. But there’s hope on the horizon,” Mahama said, amid cheers from the crowd.

He added: “We’ll focus our initial efforts on four critical areas. The first is economic restoration and stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment.

“The second is the improvement of the business and investment environment to ensure that Ghana is once again open for business.

“The third is governance and constitutional reforms. And the final, but not the least, is accountability and the fight against corruption.

“My brothers and sisters, actions have always spoken louder than words.

“With that in mind, I have entered into a covenant with you, the good people of Ghana, in which I have enumerated 26 actions that I’ll take within my first 120 days.

“There is reason for hope, and there is every reason for hope, but we must also have faith because faith empowers us to trust that things will happen.

“With faith, you believe what you know, and that is why we need faith to be able to achieve our reset.

“We need a reset with the faith we have in our country and our leadership.

“We need a reset with the faith we have in our institutions. We need a reset with our faith in our dear nation, Ghana, and by that, I mean in all of us, because all of us are Ghana. You are Ghana, and I am Ghana.

“All of you seated here, Ghanaian citizens, you are Ghana. The people who are with you or near you, as you watch this on television in your homes or listen on the radio or follow on social media, are what we call Ghana.”

Mahama said his new economic model would be anchored on agriculture and agribusiness, adding that he would provide jobs for young people, stimulate local industry and attract foreign investment.