President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday graced the swearing-in ceremony held for Ghana’s new President, John Mahama, in Accra, the country’s capital.

At the ceremony, Tinubu said his presence in Ghana was to celebrate Mahama’s success and progress.

He also delivered a speech that promotes unity among African nations.

Here are seven takeaways from Tinubu’s speech in Ghana:

1. Ghana’s transition celebrates African democracy

According to Tinubu, the successful transition from one democratic government to another in Ghana is a celebration of African democracy.

He described the moment as a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians and the entire continent, and its diaspora.

2. Stop asking Africa to prove itself

He said the moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society, adding that it lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours.

“Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves,” he said.

According to Tinubu, the continent has nothing to prove to anyone except itself because it has found the critical path to its success.

3. Build a resilient economy

Tinubu vowed that Africa will surprise its critics by lifting the “nations out of poverty and building a resilient economy at our own pace.”

This lines with the economic reforms his administration has embarked on since he was sworn-in on May 29, 2023.

4. Never allow any outside hurt us

Tinubu stated that the Ghanaian Black star shines across the nation and Africa with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to common welfare.

“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are,” the President said.

He said the star reminds Africans of who they can be, adding that it also means that Africans shall always strive to work together.

“Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve,” he said.

5. Emulate past leaders

Tinubu revealed that the spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was present at the ceremony to lift the Black star higher and higher.

He said just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between the two nations.

“May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders,” he said, adding that “Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.”

6. To work with Mahama

The President described his Ghanaian counterpart as a man of patriotic vision and substance who loves his nation and its people to the core.

He said Mahama believes that Ghana has a mission and intends for it to be fulfilled.

“President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken,” he said.

He prayed for the Ghanaian President’s administration be a profound success and progress for the entire region.

He expressed confident that the new government, under the leadership of President Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen the powerful bond they share, leading to greater shared prosperity for the people.

He advocated for laser focus to enable the two countries tackle “our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.”

7. Strength and progress for Ghana

Tinubu concluded by praying for Ghana’s democracy to continue to grow stronger with progress and prosperity and a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.