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John Mahama: Ghana's NPP boycotts swearing in | John Mahama: Ghana's NPP boycotts swearing in |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ghana's main opposition party has boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of President John Mahama following last month's disputed elections. | |
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said Mr Mahama won the election fraudulently. | The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said Mr Mahama won the election fraudulently. |
Official results gave Mr Mahama 50.7% of the vote, enough to avoid a run-off against the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo, who won 47.7%. | Official results gave Mr Mahama 50.7% of the vote, enough to avoid a run-off against the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo, who won 47.7%. |
Ahead of his inauguration, Mr Mahama called for unity in Ghana - seen as one of Africa's most stable democracies. | Ahead of his inauguration, Mr Mahama called for unity in Ghana - seen as one of Africa's most stable democracies. |
Mr Mahama was Ghana's vice-president until the unexpected death of President John Atta Mills in July. | Mr Mahama was Ghana's vice-president until the unexpected death of President John Atta Mills in July. |
He has served since then as acting president. | He has served since then as acting president. |
On Friday, Mr Mahama appealed to members of parliament to work together. | On Friday, Mr Mahama appealed to members of parliament to work together. |
'No betrayal' | 'No betrayal' |
"For the long-term survival of our nation, we must agree and commit to a multi-partisan process," he said. | "For the long-term survival of our nation, we must agree and commit to a multi-partisan process," he said. |
"Whatever our differences, whatever our politics, we must pull together and rise to meet these challenges." | "Whatever our differences, whatever our politics, we must pull together and rise to meet these challenges." |
Thousands of Mr Mahama's supporters packed Independence Square in the capital, Accra, for the ceremony, reports the BBC's Sammy Darko from the scene. | |
The stage is beautifully designed in the shape of the black star of Ghana, he adds. | The stage is beautifully designed in the shape of the black star of Ghana, he adds. |
Mr Mahama was sworn in before several African heads of state, including South Africa's President Jacob Zuma and Liberia's Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. | |
Ghana's privately-owned Joy FM radio station reports that about 40 NPP supporters have besieged the home of former President John Kufuor to prevent him from attending the ceremony. | Ghana's privately-owned Joy FM radio station reports that about 40 NPP supporters have besieged the home of former President John Kufuor to prevent him from attending the ceremony. |
Ghana's former President John Kufuor attended the ceremony, in defiance of the wishes of his NPP party. | |
Earlier, NPP supporters besieged his home to prevent him from attending, Ghana's privately-owned Joy FM radio station reports. | |
"Anybody who says that I have betrayed the NPP by attending President Mahama's inauguration is only following his emotions. Leading a nation is not easy so where I have reached, I am more of a statesman than mere party person," he said, Joy FM reports. | |
"Leadership comes with lots of responsibility so if I am called to a function by people who made me president some time back, who am I to decline?" | "Leadership comes with lots of responsibility so if I am called to a function by people who made me president some time back, who am I to decline?" |
The NPP filed a petition over the election result at the Supreme Court in late December, saying it had found irregularities including unregistered voters casting ballots. | The NPP filed a petition over the election result at the Supreme Court in late December, saying it had found irregularities including unregistered voters casting ballots. |
"We are challenging the legitimacy of that election and the winner of which is being sworn in," NPP spokesman Perry Okudzeto told AFP news agency. | "We are challenging the legitimacy of that election and the winner of which is being sworn in," NPP spokesman Perry Okudzeto told AFP news agency. |
"We don't see why we should be part of the swearing-in of an ill-elected president." | "We don't see why we should be part of the swearing-in of an ill-elected president." |
Mr Mahama's National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the elections were the most transparent the country had seen. | Mr Mahama's National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the elections were the most transparent the country had seen. |
International election observers described the 7 December poll as free and fair. | International election observers described the 7 December poll as free and fair. |
Ghana's government says the presence of international leaders at the ceremony is an endorsement of the vote. | |
Mr Mahama won by just over 300,000 votes, obtaining 5,574,761 ballots compared to Mr Akufo-Addo's 5,248,898. | Mr Mahama won by just over 300,000 votes, obtaining 5,574,761 ballots compared to Mr Akufo-Addo's 5,248,898. |
The NPP is disputing about 1,340,000 votes cast for Mr Mahama - enough to swing the outcome in favour of Mr Akufo-Addo. | The NPP is disputing about 1,340,000 votes cast for Mr Mahama - enough to swing the outcome in favour of Mr Akufo-Addo. |