'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Monday, January 6, 2025, for Accra, Ghana, to attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The event marks Mahama's return to power, having previously served as Ghana's 12th president from 2011 to 2017. He was reelected in December 2024, succeeding outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo, who held office from 2017 to 2025.
President Tinubu's attendance is at the personal invitation of Mahama, who visited him in Nigeria last December. The two leaders share a longstanding personal relationship, reflecting the deep ties between Nigeria and Ghana, which have consistently collaborated on political, economic, and cultural fronts.
As the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu will join other African leaders in Accra to celebrate Mahama’s inauguration, further strengthening regional solidarity.
Accompanying the President on this official trip will be Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, alongside other senior government officials. The delegation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering strong bilateral relations with Ghana and promoting regional unity within West Africa.
The visit also highlights the longstanding partnership between the two West African nations, which continue to share significant economic, political, and social ties. With Mahama's return, expectations are high for enhanced cooperation on regional issues, including trade, security, and development within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Tinubu’s role as ECOWAS Chairman further emphasizes Nigeria’s leadership in the region. His presence at the inauguration not only signifies solidarity with Ghana but also underscores the importance of peaceful democratic transitions in Africa.
The Nigerian leader’s participation in the historic event is expected to reinforce the shared commitment of ECOWAS member states to regional stability, democracy, and economic growth.
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