ACCRA, Ghana — John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s former president, has made a resounding political comeback, securing the presidency with 56.55% of the vote in Saturday’s election, according to provisional results from the Electoral Commission.
Historic Return Amid Economic Challenges
Mahama, 66, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2016, defeated his main rival, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, in a closely watched contest. Bawumia, the ruling-party candidate, conceded defeat on Sunday, intending to ease tensions and preserve peace.
“I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country,” Bawumia said during a press conference at his residence.
“It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana.”
The election saw a voter turnout of 60.9%, with ballots counted from 267 out of the country’s 276 constituencies. Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) also secured a majority in Parliament, positioning the party for significant influence in shaping Ghana’s future policies.
A Shift in Leadership
Mahama’s victory marks a shift in Ghanaian leadership amidst widespread economic difficulties. The country, a major gold producer and the world’s second-largest cocoa grower has been grappling with high inflation, a depreciating cedi, and the aftermath of a $3 billion IMF bailout following a debt default.
Mahama criticized Bawumia’s campaign as a continuation of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s policies, which he argued led to the economic crisis.
“I have, this morning, received a congratulatory call from my brother Dr. Bawumia, following my emphatic victory in Saturday’s election. Thank you, Ghana,” Mahama shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Celebration and Optimism
Hundreds of NDC supporters flooded the streets of Accra on Sunday to celebrate the victory. Party spokesperson Sammy Gyamfi highlighted Mahama’s strong lead in internally collated results, which indicated a decisive margin.
“The data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the presidential election decisively,” Bawumia admitted.
Outlook for Ghana
As Mahama prepares to take office, his administration faces the daunting task of navigating economic recovery while maintaining Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in West Africa. With a parliamentary majority, the NDC has a mandate to implement reforms to address the country’s challenges.
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