All Set For Inauguration

...Ghanaians urged to participate ... Appeal to wear made-in-Ghana President John Agyekum Kufuor will be sworn-in today at the Independence Square as the Fifth President of Ghana. The following foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the inaugural ceremony: Teodora Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea), President Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Jacob Zuma (Vice President of South Africa), President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah (Sierra Leone), Dias Dos Santos (Prime Minister of Angola), Mr Hans Van Mierlo (Minister of State for The Netherlands would represent the European Union), Baroness Amos (Britain), President Mathieu Kerekou of Benin, President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and President Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali. A government spokesman has appealed to Ghanaians to participate fully in the second swearing-in to make it a grand national event that unifies Ghanaians after the partisan elections. He said the successful general election and the swearing-in ceremony should be 'like an icing on the cake' to complete the success story. He said to give the event a full Ghanaian character it would be appreciated if participants wore made-in Ghana attires. "This would also fulfil the Government's policy on wearing Ghanaian-made outfits on Fridays." There is an appeal to those who would be at the Independence Square, where the event would take place to cooperate with the security agencies and comport themselves to avoid any hitches and embarrassment. The Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah would swear in President Kufuor. Seven heads of States have confirmed their participation in the event to be covered by more than 100 Journalists from Ghana and beyond. Meanwhile, feverish preparations are underway at the The newly purple-painted Square is being draped in the national colours of red, gold, green and black, while special tiers and flyers were being mounted for the media, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries. Security personnel were also rehearsing for their parade. President Kufuor is the first President of Ghana to win an election while in opposition and to be re-elected for a second term.

ALL SET FOR THE INAUGURATION Ghanaweb will cover the inauguration on Friday. Prss accrdiation was provided by the Ministry of Information and the press was briefed by Mr.Frank Agyekum, Assistant Government Spokesperson on Governance and Mr. Akrofi, official from the ministry.

The media were briefed concerning the preparation of the inauguration. They were informed about a 3 two-tier risers allocated for the media. A bird's eye view plan of the independence square was also shown. The Press Accreditation was distributed for the Press Corpse.

The members of the media were taken to the Independence Square where rehearsals were ongoing. They were shown the 3 two-tier risers if they have any concern that that needed to be addressed.

Presen at the ste were: Mr. Kwadwo Mpianim, Chief of Staff, Mr. D. K. Osei, Presidential Secretary, Nana Nsiah Nketiah, Special Assistant to the President, Mr. Frank Adu Poku, Head of Presidential Security and members of Protocol.

Mr. CNN, who will be covering the event, paid a courtesy call on Ms Ajoa Yeboa-Afari, Editor of Ghanaian Times and President of the Ghana Journalists Association at the headquarters of Ghanaian Times.