In a testament to its tradition of peaceful political transitions, Ghana has elected opposition candidate John Mahama as its new President, with the ruling party’s candidate conceding defeat in the West African nation of 34 million people.
Mahama’s victory is historic, making him the first president of Ghana’s Fourth Republic to reclaim the presidency after previously being voted out of office (2013–2017).
Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), acknowledged his defeat in Saturday’s presidential election during a press conference on Sunday morning in Accra. He announced that he had personally called Mahama to congratulate him, stating:
“The people of Ghana have spoken. They have voted for change, and we respect their decision with humility.”
While Ghana’s electoral commission has yet to release the official results, celebrations erupted in Accra, with jubilant supporters of Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) filling the streets.
On his social media account, Mahama confirmed receiving the congratulatory call from Bawumia. Once inaugurated, Mahama will succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is completing his second and final term.
Ghanaians also voted for their parliamentary representatives on Saturday in elections dominated by economic concerns. The country is grappling with high inflation, rising debt, and a challenging economic recovery supported by a $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
As Africa’s largest gold producer and a major cocoa exporter, Ghana has maintained its reputation as a favored investment destination and a model of democratic stability in a region recently troubled by coups, political instability, and insurgencies.