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New man to take office in Ghana New man to take office in Ghana
(about 2 hours later)
Ghana's President-elect, John Atta Mills, is to be sworn in after his cliff-hanger election victory.Ghana's President-elect, John Atta Mills, is to be sworn in after his cliff-hanger election victory.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate beat the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo in a hotly contested poll by a margin of less than 0.5% of votes.The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate beat the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo in a hotly contested poll by a margin of less than 0.5% of votes.
A BBC correspondent says thousands of people have packed into Independence Square in the capital, Accra, to see the inauguration ceremony. A BBC reporter says there is a carnival atmosphere in the capital with tens of thousands packed into Independence Square for the inauguration.
President John Kufuor is standing down after serving the maximum two terms.President John Kufuor is standing down after serving the maximum two terms.
He will be the second elected head of state in Ghana's history to hand over to an opposition politician.He will be the second elected head of state in Ghana's history to hand over to an opposition politician.
The BBC's James Afedo in Accra says crowds began forming at the stadium before dawn amid an air of intense excitement after one of the closest election races in Africa's recent history. Crowds began forming at the stadium before dawn - decked out in the national colours of green, yellow, red and black - amid an air of intense excitement after one of the closest election races in Africa's recent history.
The ceremony is expected to start at around 1100 GMT on Wednesday. Dignatories have begun arriving for the ceremony, although the BBC's Will Ross in Accra says that in their excitement people broke through to the area reserved for VIPs.
JOHN ATTA MILLS Age: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: University professorHobbies: Hockey, swimmingFamily: Married with one child Profile: John Atta MillsWhat lessons from Ghana's poll?JOHN ATTA MILLS Age: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: University professorHobbies: Hockey, swimmingFamily: Married with one child Profile: John Atta MillsWhat lessons from Ghana's poll?
On the eve of the inauguration, President Kufuor showed his successor around his new home, the presidential residence officially known as Jubilee House.On the eve of the inauguration, President Kufuor showed his successor around his new home, the presidential residence officially known as Jubilee House.
Ghana's incoming leader, who had lost two previous elections to Mr Kufuor, has pledged to be "a president for all".Ghana's incoming leader, who had lost two previous elections to Mr Kufuor, has pledged to be "a president for all".
Mr Akufo-Addo won the first round but not by enough to avoid an inconclusive run-off in last month's knife-edge polls. Mr Akufo-Addo won the first round but not by enough to avoid a run-off in last month's knife-edge polls.
Mr Atta Mills was finally declared the winner on Saturday after a re-run of voting in the rural constituency of Tain, which was boycotted by the NPP.Mr Atta Mills was finally declared the winner on Saturday after a re-run of voting in the rural constituency of Tain, which was boycotted by the NPP.
Despite allegations of multiple voting and intimidation from both sides, electoral officials found no evidence of foul play and monitors praised Ghana's poll as a democratic example to others.Despite allegations of multiple voting and intimidation from both sides, electoral officials found no evidence of foul play and monitors praised Ghana's poll as a democratic example to others.
The stakes were raised further in the election by Ghana's recent discovery of crude oil, with production due to start in late 2010.The stakes were raised further in the election by Ghana's recent discovery of crude oil, with production due to start in late 2010.
Turnout was high for Ghana's fifth set of polls since it embraced multi-party democracy in 1992.Turnout was high for Ghana's fifth set of polls since it embraced multi-party democracy in 1992.
The former British colony was the first African state to gain its independence in 1957.The former British colony was the first African state to gain its independence in 1957.
A nation of 22 million people, it is the world's second biggest cocoa grower and Africa's number two gold miner.A nation of 22 million people, it is the world's second biggest cocoa grower and Africa's number two gold miner.