National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate and Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has been announced winner of last Saturday’s presidential election in Ghana
Mahama won the votes to return as the country’s president, after his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat.
The defeat in Saturday’s election ends two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, marked by Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, involving high inflation and a debt default.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), candidate in the election conceded and immediately congratulated the former President and NDC candidate, John Dramani Mahama on his victory.
Announcing his acceptance of the polls results and eventual defeat in a speech delivered on Sunday, Mr Bawumia acknowledged that internal data from his party indicates the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured victory in both the presidential and parliamentary polls.
“Let me say that 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 said.
“The people of Ghana have spoken, the people have voted for change at this time and we respect it with all humility,” Bawumia said in a news conference on Sunday.
“The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await the final collation of a number of seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome.
“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.
“It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana.”
Mr Bawumia added that he accepts the decision of Ghanaians “with all humility.”
Mahama, who lost his re-election bid to Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016, is expected to take office as president in January 2025.