Former Ghana President John Mahama wins re-election

Ghana’s opposition leader John Mahama on Monday officially won the country’s election, easily defeating the ruling party candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia after voters punished the government’s economic management and the high costs of living.

Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in Saturday’s presidential ballot, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who secured 41 percent, the electoral commission said, announcing official results.

For the winner, who was the country’s president from 2012 to 2017, it was his third attempt to reclaim the presidency after falling short in 2016 and 2020 elections.

In an address conceding defeat, Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), said he had called Mahama, whose party also won the parliamentary election, to congratulate him.

“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.

“The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await final collation of a number of seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome,” Bawumia told his supporters.

Stressing that he conceded before the official results to ease tensions, the ruling party’s presidential candidate acknowledged that the people’s choice must be respected.

“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. The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect that decision with all humility,” the defeated candidate stressed.