WHILE the red carpet was rolled out for former president Jacob Zuma at the inauguration of the newly-elected Ghanaian head of state, John Dramani Mahama, his sworn enemy and successor, President Cyril, was a no-show.
This significant event took place on Tuesday at the renowned Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, in Accra, Ghana’s capital. It was graced by thousands of Ghanaian citizens, who were mostly clad in traditional regalia.
The details surrounding Ramaphosa’s absence remain murky, and speculation is rising about whether he received an invitation to attend the historic inauguration.
Zuma is now the leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which is plotting to become the country’s governing party at the 2029 general elections.
Yesterday, Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took his oath of office, becoming the first politician in Ghana's history to successfully mount a comeback for a second term as president of the biggest gold-producing country in Africa.
His victory, claiming 56.3% of the vote against former Deputy President Mahamudu Bawumia, marked a significant event in the country’s political landscape after the elections held on December 9, 2024.
The ceremony was a star-studded affair, attended by more than 21 African heads of state, including special guest Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Dignitaries from around the world including special envoys from the United States and China added to the weight of the celebration.
A journalist reporting from Ghana, Samuel Ayammah of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, confirmed to the Daily News that Ramaphosa did not attend.
“Former South African president Jacob Zuma was acknowledged by the Speaker of Parliament. The current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, was not in attendance. Thousands of people attended the historic event, which saw a woman being elected as the first deputy president for the first time in the democratic history of the country,” said Ayammah.
Ayammah said the festivities would likely continue throughout the week as the Ghanaians, fresh from economic ruin by the previous administration, hoped for a better future under the leadership of Mahama.
Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, the newly-elected Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, acknowledged Zuma during the proceedings.
Zuma was accompanied by his wife Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, spokesperson for the MKP, Nhlamulo Ndhela and Magasela Mzobe, the MKP’s head of presidency.
Before the event, Zuma attended a luncheon on Monday that was organised by the incoming administration.
Zuma’s political ties with Mahama can be traced back to 2012 when the latter took over as president of Ghana following the death of his predecessor, John Mills.
At the time, Zuma was also serving his first term as the president of the country following his election in 2009.
Well-known South African politician Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was also serving as the chairperson of the African Union in 2012 when Mahama took the reins as president.
International relations expert advocate Sipho Mantula, a researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, speculated that Ramaphosa’s absence may be linked to preparations for the upcoming January 8 birthday celebrations of the African National Congress (ANC).
“However, it does not reflect well on a head of state when they miss a significant event of a neighbouring country, particularly when we have bilateral agreements with Ghana,” he said.
Despite this, Mantula added that Ramaphosa’s absence is unlikely to harm the longstanding relations between South Africa and Ghana, both of which share historical ties as former British colonies.
On Zuma’s presence at the inauguration, Mantula said: “There is something to read from his presence and acknowledgement at the event. Maybe Zuma is busy selling the idea of the MK Party to the newly-elected president.”
Following his inauguration, Mahama officially raised the Presidential Sword, signifying the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana's governance.
His administration includes Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, who made history as the country’s first female deputy president, a monumental achievement in Ghanaian politics since its independence from the British in 1957.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for the presidency, confirmed to the Daily News that Ramaphosa skipped the event but did not give reasons.
The Daily News' attempts to clarify this with the South African and Ghanaian embassies were not fruitful, as both were closed for the holidays.
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