The first official results have been released for Saturday’s presidential election in Ghana and it looks like it will confirm the victory of the candidate, former President John Mahama.
As a result of the results from 12 of the 16 regions of the country, Mahama is ahead with 61% compared to 38% for Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
The vice president has accepted defeat and congratulated Mahama on his victory on Sunday but there was frustration that it took a long time to announce the official result.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after reaching the legal limit of serving two terms.
This election comes amid the worst economic climate in a generation.
Unemployment, the cost of living and concerns about the environmental impact of illegal gold mining, known as “galmasey”, are among the key factors.
With many Ghanaians yearning for change, Mahama won four constituencies – Bono, Ahafo, Western, and Central – which the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) had won in 2020.
However, the results of the Ashanti region, which is considered the heartland of the NPP, are yet to be announced.
Mahama, 65, led Ghana from 2012 until 2017, when he was ousted by Akufo-Addo. Mahama lost again in the 2020 elections so this victory represents a remarkable comeback.
Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP have alternated in power since the return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992.
No team has ever won more than two in a row – a trend that looks set to continue.
Before Mahama was in power, the economy was damaged, there were power cuts and corruption scandals.
However, Ghanaians are hoping it will be different this time.
During the campaign, Mahama promised to transform Ghana into a “24-hour economy”.
The new president will be sworn in on January 7, 2025.
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