The first official results from Saturday’s presidential election in Ghana have been released and appear to confirm the victory of opposition candidate, former President John Mahama.
With results from 12 of the country’s 16 regions, Mahama has a strong lead of 61%, compared to 38% for Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
The vice president has already accepted defeat and congratulated Mahama on his victory on Sunday, but there was some frustration that it took so long to announce the official results.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after reaching the official two-term limit.
These elections are taking place amid the worst economic crisis in a generation.
Unemployment, the cost of living and concerns about the environmental impact of illegal gold mining, known as “galmasey”, were among the key issues.
With many Ghanaians desperate for change, Mahama won four regions – Bono, Ahafo, Western and Central – that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) had won in 2020.
However, results from the Ashanti region, which is seen as a nuclear power stronghold, have not yet been announced.
Mahama, 65, previously led Ghana from 2012 to 2017, when he was replaced by Akufo-Addo. Mahama also lost the 2020 elections, so this victory represents a stunning comeback.
Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP have alternated since the return of multiparty politics to Ghana in 1992.
No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in power – a trend that appears set to continue.
Mahama’s previous term in office was marred by an ailing economy, frequent power outages and corruption scandals.
However, Ghanaians are hoping that this time it will be different.
During the campaign, Mahama promised to transform Ghana into a “24-hour economy”.
The new president will be sworn in on January 7, 2025.
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