Ghana’s Former President John Mahama Wins Election
Former President John Dramani Mahama has emerged victorious in Ghana’s presidential election after Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat and extended his congratulations.
“The people of Ghana have spoken, the people have voted for change at this time, and we respect it with all humility,” Bawumia announced at a press conference on Sunday.
The election marks the end of two consecutive terms of governance by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by President Nana Akufo-Addo. During this period, Ghana faced its most severe economic crisis in years, characterized by soaring inflation and a historic debt default.
A Decisive Victory
Bawumia confirmed he had personally called Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to acknowledge his decisive win.
Earlier, NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi revealed that the party’s internal analysis showed Mahama securing 56.3% of the votes, compared to Bawumia’s 41.3%. “It is very clear the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi stated.
Adding to their victory, the NDC also secured a majority in Parliament, according to the NPP’s internal vote count.
Mahama’s Return to Power
Mahama, who previously served as Ghana’s president from July 2012 to January 2017, took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm Bawumia’s congratulatory call, celebrating his “emphatic victory.”
In Accra, jubilant supporters of the 65-year-old leader gathered outside the NDC headquarters, honking horns and cheering in celebration of his historic return to power.
His win makes him the first leader in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, since the nation’s 1992 return to multi-party democracy, to reclaim the presidency after a defeat.
Campaign Promises and Focus
Mahama’s campaign centered on addressing Ghana’s pressing economic challenges, pledging to “reset” the nation and appealing to its youth. The election was dominated by discussions on the country’s financial turmoil, which culminated in a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
On the issue of corruption, Mahama committed to establishing a new office to oversee government procurements exceeding $5 million, a measure aimed at tackling corruption stemming from unchecked procurement processes.
However, Mahama also reaffirmed his support for the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, passed by Ghana’s parliament in February but awaiting final approval. The bill has drawn significant international criticism.
Ghana’s Democratic Stability
The election commission is expected to release official results by Tuesday, but Mahama’s victory has already been widely acknowledged.
Ghana, known for its strong tradition of democratic stability, continues its pattern of alternating power between the NPP and NDC since the advent of multi-party democracy in 1992.