Ghana’s former President, John Dramani Mahama, has won the country’s presidential election and his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, has conceded defeat.
Mahama’s victory ends two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Ghana, under Akufo-Addo, reportedly witnessed its worst economic crisis in years marked by high inflation and a debt default.
Mahama, president of Ghana between July 2012 and January 2017, emerged victorious in his third attempt at reclaiming power.
The country’s VP, Bawumia, conceded defeat on Sunday. According to him, data from his party shows that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured victory in both the presidential and parliamentary polls.
“Let me say that the data from our internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the presidential election decisively,” Bawumia said.
“The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await the final collation of many seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome.
“The people of Ghana have spoken, the people have voted for change at this time and we respect it with all humility,”
“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.”
In a post on his X account, Mahama confirmed that he had received Bawumia’s congratulatory call over his “emphatic victory.”
Earlier, NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi told reporters that the party’s internal review of results showed Mahama won 56.3 per cent of the vote, compared to Bawumia’s 41.3 per cent.
“It is very clear that the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi said.
However, the election’s official results are likely to be announced on Tuesday, according to the country’s electoral commission.