John Dramani Mahama has been declared the winner of Ghana’s 2024 presidential election, marking a historic comeback to the country’s highest office after a hotly contested race.
The Electoral Commission (EC) announced Mahama’s victory on Monday, December 9, confirming that he secured 6,328,397 votes, equivalent to 56.55% of the total valid votes. His closest competitor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61%.
The win is a major triumph for Mahama’s party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which also claimed a majority in Parliament. The NDC has so far secured over 160 parliamentary seats, flipping several constituencies that were previously strongholds of the NPP. This legislative dominance bolsters Mahama’s political mandate as he prepares to lead the nation once more.
With a voter turnout of 73%, the election was widely regarded as peaceful, despite isolated incidents of violence and logistical issues in areas such as Damongo, Ablekuma Central, and Okaikwei North.
In a concession speech, Dr. Bawumia gracefully acknowledged the outcome, urging his supporters to respect the will of the people. “We have given our best, but the people have made their choice. Let us uphold peace and unity as we move forward as a nation,” he said.
Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2016, is set to address the nation following the official declaration by EC Chairperson Jean Mensa. His upcoming speech is expected to outline his vision for Ghana as he prepares to begin his second term, with the inauguration scheduled for January 7, 2025.
The 2024 elections have been lauded by local and international observers for their transparency and credibility, despite some operational challenges. Analysts predict Mahama’s leadership will benefit from the NDC’s parliamentary majority, providing him with a solid foundation to implement his policies over the next four years.
Mahama’s return to the presidency is a significant political shift after losing the 2016 election to Nana Akufo-Addo and a subsequent defeat in 2020. His victory aligns with forecasts from prominent polling organizations, including the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and Global InfoAnalytics, which had predicted an opposition win.
