Ghana - President Mahama Sworn In As Opposition Boycotts

Ghana's John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as president on Monday at a ceremony attended by thousands in the capital but boycotted by the opposition, which has challenged the election results.

Mr Mahama, who initially became head of state following the death of his predecessor John Atta Mills in July, pledged to build on the west African nation's economic success in a speech after taking the oath.

The writer and Afrobeat music fan from the country's north who recently published a well-received memoir pledged to improve the country's infrastructure.

"We as a country have inherited a powerful legacy, and we are beneficiaries of a mighty history," the 54-year-old Mahama, dressed in a flowing white robe, told a crowd of Ghanaians, African heads of state and foreign dignitaries.

He added later that "nevertheless, there's still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done ... Bridges, schools and hospitals must be built ... We must continue to invest in our agricultural sector and grow our economy."

Observer groups hailed the polls as another successful election in the country viewed as a stable democracy in turbulent West Africa.

The party of main opposition candidate Nana Akufo-Addo has however alleged the vote was stolen and challenged the results in court