Eleven Heads of State and 18 government delegations across the world have confirmed their participation in the inauguration of the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, on January 7, 2013. They include Presidents Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, Mahamadou Isoufou of Niger, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire. The African Union (AU) Chairman, President Thomas Yayi Boni, has also confirmed his participation in the grand national event at the Independence Square in Accra. The Spokesperson for the Presidential Transition Team, Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, told graphic.com.gh in Accra that “all is set for the inaugural ceremony on January 7”. In view of the national nature of the ceremony, he stated, all party flags, billboards and other party paraphernalia on the ceremonial roads were to be removed immediately. Work on the ceremonial ground is expected to begin on January 2 and completed on January 5, two clear days before the inauguration. Invitations have been extended to 50,000 guests world-wide. According to the arrangements, giant screens will be mounted at vantage points in Accra, such as the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, the Liberty Park at Dansoman, the Trade Fair Centre, Legon/Madina, among other places, on which the event would be telecast live, with Ghana Television providing feeds for all television stations. Mr Agyenim-Boateng said the team had received all handing-over notes from ministers and government appointees. On the return of government vehicles in the possession of such appointees, he said January 4 had been given as the final day for the return of those vehicles and others. He said under the Presidential (Transition) Act 2012, Act 845, all ministers, departments and government appointees in government bungalows were given up to three months to vacate the accommodation. President Mahama was declared the winner of the December 7 presidential election, which, according to international and domestic election observers, had been free, fair and transparent. He has been congratulated by world leaders, including the US, France and Germany.