State announces preparations for Mahama’s inauguration; key roads to be temporarily closed

The Ministry of Information has announced that preparations for the inauguration of President-elect John Dramani Mahama are progressing steadily ahead of the ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

In a press statement on Monday, 6th January, the Ministry revealed that a significant number of foreign dignitaries have confirmed their attendance at the highly anticipated event.

The Ministry stated that 21 Heads of State from Africa and beyond, along with 3 Vice Presidents, 4 Ministers, and 24 envoys, will be present at the ceremony.

“We appreciate the overwhelming support and solidarity from the international community and look forward to welcoming them,” the statement noted.

Press Accreditation for Coverage

Journalists who have applied to cover the inauguration can collect their press accreditation from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) office today, January 6, 2025. The Ministry emphasized that accreditation is mandatory for all journalists, photographers, and videographers intending to cover the event.

Live Broadcast Arrangements

The production of the inauguration will be centralized to ensure seamless and high-quality broadcasting. Television channels will receive feeds from a centralized source. Media organizations requiring clean feeds must have a minimum internet speed of 4mbps, while feeds with graphics will also require the same specifications.

Road Closures and Traffic Diversions

To ensure security and smooth movement during the ceremony, several roads in Accra will be temporarily closed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on January 7. The affected areas include:

Parliament House – Roads leading to Parliament from Osu and the AU Roundabout will be closed, with access limited to parliamentarians and authorized personnel.

Independence Square – 28th February Road from CEPS Headquarters to Castle Road Junction, Castle Road from AU Circle to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, and Starlet 91 Road will also be affected.

Traffic Diversions – Traffic from La, Labone, and Osu towards the Central Business District will be diverted through Salem Avenue and Oxford Street. Motorists heading towards Black Star Square from John Evans Atta Mills High Street will be redirected to Liberia Road.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and adhere to traffic directions from security personnel. The Ministry apologised for any inconvenience the closures may cause and called for public cooperation to ensure the event’s success.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a safe and orderly inauguration ceremony, highlighting the importance of the event in marking the start of President Mahama’s new term.