Inauguration

The inauguration of Atta Mills did not pass without incident. My group went as invited guests to the ceremony. Unfortunately the crowds were thick and uncontained. As we tried to find our way to the ceremony we were literally pushed into a mob of people. They were trying to pick-pocket on every side. In this case they did not even have to hide their actions. They simply grabbed at us because they knew we couldn’t get out. We took refuge behind a vendors stall teetering on the brink of an open sewer. Luckily a police officer came after a few minutes and escorted us to where we were supposed to go. We were seated and everything seemed to be going as planned. Even though we weren’t in the best viewing, after being in that mob, we all counted our blessings (and our money).

            After about half an hour the new president came to be inaugurated. The crowd went wild at the sight of him. After ten minutes of the ceremony the weak barriers could not hold them back and a hoard of supporters ran into the main arena. Another example of Ghanaian exuberance. I am happy that this exuberant crowd didn’t change into an angry mob, something which was all too probable.