AFPOfficial outcomes from Saturday’s presidential election in Ghana have confirmed the victory of opposition candidate, former President John Mahama.
With leads to from the entire nation’s 16 areas, Mahama gained with 56.6% towards 41.6% for Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia.
It’s the largest margin of victory in 24 years.
Voter turnout was 60.9%, stated the pinnacle of Ghana’s electoral fee, Jean Mensa.
Reacting to information of his official standing as president-elect, Mahama was seen smiling and applauding surrounded by his household in footage proven on nationwide tv.
The vice-president had already accepted defeat a day after the polls and congratulated Mahama on his victory, however there had been some frustration that it was taking so lengthy to announce the official outcomes.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after reaching the official restrict of two phrases in workplace.
This election comes amid the worst financial disaster in a technology.
Unemployment, the price of dwelling and considerations over the environmental influence of unlawful gold mining, generally known as “galmasey”, had been among the many key points.
With many Ghanaians determined for a change, Mahama gained a number of areas – together with Bono, Ahafo, Western, and Central – which the governing New Patriotic Get together (NPP) had gained in 2020.
Nonetheless, the outcomes from the Ashanti area, seen as a stronghold of the NPP, haven’t but been introduced.
Since Bawumia’s concession on Sunday, Mahama’s supporters have been celebrating throughout the nation.
Individuals have been cheering, waving flags, blowing horns and spinning motorbikes.
“I am so excited for this victory,” Salifu Abdul-Fatawu advised the BBC within the central metropolis of Kumasi.
He stated he hoped it might imply that he and his sibling would get jobs, whereas the value of meals and gasoline would come down.
The vice-president stated he had accepted defeat earlier than the official announcement of the outcomes “to keep away from additional stress and protect the peace of our nation”.
Though the election has usually been peaceable, two folks had been shot lifeless on Saturday in separate incidents.
The electoral fee workplace within the northern city of Damongo was additionally destroyed, allegedly by NDC supporters indignant on the delays in saying the outcomes.
Mahama, 65, beforehand led Ghana from 2012 till 2017, when he was changed by Akufo-Addo. Mahama additionally misplaced the 2020 election so this victory represents a surprising comeback.
Mahama’s Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP have alternated in energy for the reason that return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992.
No social gathering has ever gained greater than two consecutive phrases in energy – a pattern that appears set to proceed.
Mahama’s earlier time in workplace was marred by an ailing economic system, frequent power-cuts and corruption scandals.
Nonetheless, Ghanaians hope will probably be totally different this time spherical.
Through the marketing campaign, Mahama promised to remodel Ghana right into a “24-hour economic system”.
The brand new president shall be sworn in on 7 January 2025.
Further reporting by Komla Adom in Kumasi
Getty Photographs/BBC