Ghana swears in new president

Nana Akufo-Addo was on Saturday January 6th 2017 sworn in as Ghana new president succeeding former president John Dramani Mahama in a ceremony attended by several African leaders.

Akufo-Addo, 72, a former opposition leader, who defeated incumbent John Dramani Mahama in the December 2016 elections pledged to cut taxes to boost the economy during his inauguration and also promise to protect the public fund by getting value for money on services.

"We will reduce taxes to recover the momentum of our economy," said Akufo-Addo, "Ghana is open for business again."

"I shall protect the public purse by insisting on value for money," he said. "Public service is just that: service, and (is) not be seen as an opportunity for making money."

The ceremony was attended by several African leaders and other international dignitaries, including including Chadian President Idris Deby, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and former UN chief Kofi Annan.