- "The transition team has favourably considered the request of Parliament of Ghana stated by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and has hence decided that the swearing-in of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo on the 7th of January 2021 shall happen before parliament and with the precincts of parliament."
The swearing-in ceremony of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo next January will take place in Parliament instead of the usual venue at the Black Star Square (Independence Square), Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide has announced.
The change in venue is in response to a request by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, during the opening of office facilities under the Physical Infrastructure Projects of Parliament.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, Hadzide said the 2020 presidential transition team has given approval for the change in venue.
“On the 3rd day of November 2020 when President Akufo-Addo commissioned the office facilities under the Physical Infrastructure Projects of Parliament in Parliament House, Accra, Parliament made a passionate representation to him that they want subsequent swearing in of presidents of the Republic to happen in parliament and before parliament in accordance with Ghanaian laws and international best practices,” he said.
Hadzide added: “The transition team has favourably considered the request of Parliament of Ghana stated by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and has hence decided that the swearing-in of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo on the 7th of January 2021 shall happen before parliament and with the precincts of parliament.”
He further assured all necessary measures will be put in place to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols during the event.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu last month announced government has resolved to discontinue swearing in newly elected presidents at the Independence Square.
“The House has decided that the President-elect must follow the rules, subject to security considerations, be sworn-in in the presence of Parliament, before parliament and in parliament,” he said.
Fred Dzakpata
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