Ghana’s former president, John Dramani Mahama, has been declared the winner of the presidential election held over the weekend, securing 56 percent of the vote, according to the official results released by the Electoral Commission on Monday.
Mahama, representing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 41 percent of the vote.
The announcement marks a significant political shift, as Mahama’s victory ends eight years of governance by the New Patriotic Party and brings the NDC back into power.
Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, formally declared Mahama the winner, saying, “I have the singular honour … to declare His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as the winner.”
Bawumia swiftly conceded defeat on Sunday, acknowledging that Ghanaians were seeking change, particularly in the face of economic challenges, including high living costs, that have plagued the current administration.
Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, will succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo’s final term has been marred by Ghana’s most severe economic crisis in years, which included a debt default and a bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
