John Dramani Mahama, Ghana's president, has been sworn in alongside his vice president, former Bank of Ghana governor Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, after winning the December election with 50.7 percent of the votes. The ceremony, which was attended by among others, former President John Kufour, was boycotted by opposition candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, who claims that the election was rigged.

The fact that the 54 year old leader is now firmly on the seat cannot be disputed. However, considering the fact that he is President of all Ghanaians, the Opposition included, it is prudent that both he and Nana Akufo-Addo show leadership by employing dialogue. The duo ought to iron out their areas of divergence and strengthen their areas of convergence.

Ghana has a chance to once again prove to itself, Africa and the world that it is the Black Star shining over many dark corners of the African continent by shunning political violence, avoiding being a police state, embracing honest dialogue and putting the aspirations of the people of Ghana first.  The continent already has a rich menu of strife in Sudan, Egypt, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Libya and Mali which are consuming vital resources, energy and time. Ghana must not take this path. How the duo will behave will either make Africa proud or shame it.