They came from far and wide to witness the inauguration of Ghana's new President.
And the country put on a show to welcome them.
Leaders from across Africa were invited to the ceremony, including the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan - who's from Ghana.
The country is one of Africa's success stories.
It's earned international praise for a democratic process that saw John Atta Mills win the presidency by less than half a percent.
The opposition leader succeeded John Kufour who served two four-year terms.
[John Atta Mills, President of Ghana]:
"The least that I can do is to work hard in order to help all of us achieve a better Ghana."
Ghana is the world's second largest cocoa grower and Africa's second biggest gold miner.
Oil production will also be a reality in 2010.
Much of its success is down to Kufuor but he's also had many problems.
There have been reports of overspending and allegations of corruption, including the implication of senior officials in drug trafficking.
Mills will be expected to do better.
Nyasa Times "Minister of Women and Child Development Kate Kainja-Kaluluma has passed away in United Kingdom. “Indeed Hon Kate Kainja Kaluluma has died,” confirmed family friends in London. The 57-year-old minister was admitted to a North England hospital – York Hospital. Diplomatic sources at Malawi High Commission in London have said arrangements are being made to send her remains to Malawi. Kainja who was Dedza South West Constituency parliamentarian flew to United Kingdom for medical attention after a long-illness. She is survived by a husband, Emanuel Kaluluma and three children."