By Abigail Philip David
Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has secured a historic comeback as the country’s President-elect, winning the presidential election on his third attempt.
Mahama’s victory came after Vice President and main opponent Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat, marking the end of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) two-term rule under President Nana Akufo-Addo.
“The people of Ghana have spoken; they have voted for change, and we humbly respect their decision,” Bawumia said during a news conference on Sunday.
The election, held on Saturday, highlighted Ghana’s worsening economic challenges, including record-high inflation, a debt default, and reliance on a $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.
Victory Confirmed
According to internal results from Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), he won 56.3% of the vote, compared to 41.3% for Bawumia. NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi declared, “It is very clear the people of this country have voted for change.”
Mahama confirmed receiving a congratulatory call from Bawumia on X (formerly Twitter), describing his win as an “emphatic victory.”
Supporters of the 65-year-old former leader celebrated outside the NDC campaign headquarters in Accra, blaring horns and cheering as news of the victory spread.
A Historic Comeback
Mahama’s win makes him the first leader in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to reclaim the presidency after being voted out. He previously served as president from July 2012 to January 2017.
During his campaign, Mahama pledged to “reset” Ghana, focusing on economic recovery and appealing to the youth. He also promised to address corruption by establishing a special office to oversee government procurement above $5 million, a step he said would combat unchecked corruption.
Economic and Social Challenges
The election spotlighted Ghana’s economic struggles, including a currency devaluation crisis and the government’s default on debt payments. These issues were key factors in Mahama’s victory, as he promised decisive action to rebuild the economy.
However, Mahama’s support for the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill passed by Ghana’s parliament earlier this year has drawn significant international criticism. The bill, which has yet to be signed into law, remains a divisive issue.
Awaiting Official Results
Although Ghana’s election commission is expected to release the official results by Tuesday, both parties have largely aligned with their internal tallies, which suggest a clear victory for Mahama.
Ghana, known for its democratic stability, continues its tradition of power alternating between its two dominant parties, the NPP and NDC, since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992. Mahama’s return signals a new chapter in Ghana’s political history.
