Raila, Joho in Ghana for President-elect Akuffo-Addo’s inauguration
Cord leader Raila Odinga left for the inauguration of Ghana president-elect Nana Akufo-Addo that will take place in the country’s capital Accra, on Saturday.
Mr Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be sworn in as the fifth President of Ghana after defeating incumbent John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in last year’s elections.
Mr Odinga, accompanied by his deputy Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho left for Accra at 8am on Friday, according to a communiqué to newsrooms.
“While in Ghana, Mr Odinga and his delegation will meet sections of the new administration. He will return to Nairobi early next week,” read the statement.
OPPOSITION LEADERS
Presidents, Vice Presidents and opposition leaders from several countries are expected to attend the ceremony.
Notable opposition leaders expected to attend include Zimbabwe’s Morgan Tsvangirai and Uganda’s Kizza Besigye.
Mr Addo, 72, having won the December 2016 presidential polls, would be the fifth President of Ghana under the Fourth Republic, which began in 1992.
Incumbent President Mahama’s bid for a second term suffered a defeat with over 1.5 million-vote difference.
About 11 heads of states and governments, two vice presidents, 13 government representatives, five international representatives of multilateral organizations and a number of ex-presidents from West Africa and other parts of the world are expected at the ceremony.
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS
Mr Addo won the seat after two unsuccessful attempts in 2008 and 2012. He defeated President Mahama by 53.8 percent to 44.4 percent.
In 2008, he lost to John Atta Mills and in 2012 his predecessor John Mahama beat him. Ghana’s elections have been historically close, with Mahama narrowly winning against Akufo-Addo in 2012 with 50.7 percent.
Mr Addo unsuccessfully challenged Mr Mahama’s victory in the courts, just as Mr Odinga when he contested President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in 2013 at the Supreme Court.
Mr Odinga’s supporters are looking forward to his victory in the August 8 elections when he will be making his fourth stab at the Presidency.
They are confident at 72, just as Mr Addo, Mr Odinga would also make a surprise win of the Presidency.
