The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his reelection.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the Association, Alpha A. Shaban, it extolled the various qualities of the President, further commending his disposition on the outcome of the elections.

“GUTA has closely observed and noticed with admiration, the humility, diligence, dexterity, hard work, integrity, sincerity, patience and decorum, among other virtues the president-elect has exhibited before, during and after the December 7 general election, which is worthy of commendation.

“It is the fervent hope and belief of GUTA that, His Excellency the President will note the observations and maintain those qualities and virtues in him that endeared him to the mass of the people”.

The Association further wished the President-elect good health further praying for God’s “wisdom and courage to carry out his duties as well as guard him to the right path in all his endeavors”.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has left the country for the Ivory Coast and Guinea to attend the inauguration ceremonies of President Alassane Ouattara and President Alpha Condé in their respective countries.

From there, the president is expected to proceed to London for a private visit after the two ceremonies before returning to Ghana.

In a statement issued by the presidency, it stated that, “President Akufo-Addo is, on Monday, 14th December, attending the swearing-in ceremony of His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, President-elect of Cote d’Ivoire, in Abidjan, and will, on Tuesday, 14th December 2020, attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of the Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Professor Alpha Condé”.

President Akufo-Addo is accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway and officials of the Presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his absence, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.

Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara and Guinea’s President Alpha Condé both won their re-election despite legal challenges against their victories. While Mr. Ouattara will be sworn in on December 14, Condé will be sworn in on December 15, 2020.

Ouattara obtained 94.2 percent of the votes cast whereas his counterpart Condé polled 59.49 percent during the elections held in October.

Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara was re-elected to power amidst tension following the approval of a new constitution in 2016 which he claims allows him to restart his mandate.

According to officials, about thirty five people died during clashes between rival political parties in the run-up to the vote and on Election Day. Ivory Coast’s Constitutional Council formally ratified President Alassane Ouattara’s re-election to a third term in November.

On the other hand, Guinea’s 2020 election was held on October 18, despite the polls being held amidst criticisms from opposition parties over Alpha Conde’s decision to contest again was unconstitutional.

The decision by the 82-year-old leader to contest in the 2020 polls after he pushed to change the constitution in March in order to bypass a two-term limit sparked violent protests that killed dozens of people.

Conde won 59.5 percent of the votes but his main challenger Cellou Dalein Diallo and other opposition candidates alleged irregularities in the official results announced.