Ghana has reelected former President John Mahama in a decisive electoral contest, signaling a dramatic return to power and a clear rejection of the incumbent New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) eight-year governance.
Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured a commanding victory, with the candidate capturing 56.55% of valid votes and definitively defeating his closest rival, Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Ghana Electoral Commission, led by Chairperson Jean Mensa, officially proclaimed Mahama the president-elect on Monday in Accra, confirming his triumph in the December 7, 2024 election. The 65-year-old politician garnered 6,328,397 votes, compared to Bawumia’s 4,657,304, reflecting a substantial margin of public support.
Mensa emphasized a critical technical detail about the election results: while nine constituencies’ results were still pending, these would not alter the election’s outcome. In a precise breakdown, she explained that Ghana’s total 275 constituencies had 266 fully reported, with the nine remaining results mathematically incapable of changing the election result.
Even if all nine pending constituencies were to hypothetically award all their votes to Bawumia, they could at most reduce Mahama’s victory margin from 56.55% to around 52% – still comfortably exceeding the constitutional requirement of 50% plus one vote for a winning presidential candidate.
In a testament to Ghana’s democratic maturity, Vice President Bawumia conceded defeat during a Sunday press briefing, personally telephoning Mahama to offer congratulations. This gesture epitomizes the nation’s commitment to peaceful political transitions and democratic norms.
Over 18 million Ghanaians participated in the election, casting votes across 40,000 polling centers to determine their next president and parliamentary representatives. The election marks the conclusion of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s eight-year presidency, set to end on January 7, 2025.
The ruling NPP’s early concession and Bawumia’s direct communication with Mahama further validated the election’s integrity. Mahama confirmed the congratulatory call on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “This morning, I received a congratulatory call from my brother Mahamudu Bawumia following my emphatic victory in Saturday’s election. Thank you, Ghana.”
The election result suggests a significant political recalibration, with Mahama’s return promising potential new approaches to national governance and leadership. This victory not only represents a personal political comeback but also signals potential shifts in policy direction and national strategy.
