By Newsmata
Former President John Mahama is Ghana’s president-elect, and this is official, coming from the country’s election umpire. The declaration of Mahama as the winner of the 2024 presidential election by Ghana’s electoral commission, marked a resounding comeback for the opposition leader. Mahama secured a commanding 61% of the vote, leaving Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia far behind with 38%, based on results from 12 out of the country’s 16 regions.
Vice-President Bawumia conceded defeat on Sunday, congratulating Mahama on his victory, but widespread frustration erupted as citizens grew impatient with delays in the official announcement.
This election ushers in a new political chapter as President Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after serving two terms, the constitutional limit. The vote comes at a turbulent time for Ghana, which is battling its worst economic crisis in decades, amplifying the stakes of leadership change.
Regional results underscore Mahama’s sweeping success. His party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), dominated in key regions such as Volta, where it amassed 584,234 votes against the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 56,699, and the Central Region, where the NDC won with 562,620 votes to the NPP’s 382,749. Other decisive victories included the Northern Region (529,456 to 370,928), Western Region (423,245 to 275,231), and Bono East (216,691 to 124,811).
The NPP held its ground in only two regions: the Eastern Region, with 493,234 votes to the NDC’s 453,234, and the North East, where the NPP scored 134,800 votes to the NDC’s 111,051.
John Mahama’s triumph reflects a significant shift in public sentiment, as Ghanaians look to his leadership to steer the nation out of its economic woes and towards renewed stability and growth.