Former President John Dramani Mahama has been declared the winner of Ghana’s 2024 presidential election, defeating Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The announcement was made by Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), on Monday, December 9.
Mr. Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured 56.55% of the votes, polling 6,328,397 of the 11,191,422 valid votes cast. Dr. Bawumia, his closest contender, garnered 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.6%.
The EC chair noted that results from nine constituencies remain outstanding but emphasized that these would not affect the outcome.
Following the declaration, jubilant crowds flooded the streets of Accra and other parts of Ghana, celebrating Mahama’s comeback victory.
His triumph marks a decisive return to power after losing the presidency to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.
This victory also cements Mahama’s place in Ghana’s political history, as he previously narrowly defeated Akufo-Addo in 2012 with 50.7% of the vote in an election that was later contested in court.
Bawumia Concedes, Calls for Unity
On Sunday, December 8, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s Vice President and the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, conceded defeat in a gracious statement. He acknowledged his party’s internal tally confirmed the NDC’s sweeping victory, including a parliamentary majority.
“I have just called H.E. John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him as President-elect of the Republic of Ghana,” Dr. Bawumia announced. “While this was not our desired outcome, I acknowledge that this is part of the democratic process, and I urge everyone to accept the results in the interest of national unity.”
His concession underscores Ghana’s reputation for peaceful democratic transitions, even in fiercely contested elections.
NDC Claims Parliamentary Majority
In addition to Mahama’s victory, the NDC had secured a parliamentary majority, further solidifying its mandate to govern.
This outcome sets the stage for significant political shifts as Ghana transitions into a new administration.
The 2024 election has underscored Ghana’s vibrant democracy and the enduring power of the ballot box in shaping the nation’s future.
