Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has reclaimed the presidency after Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat in a closely watched election on Sunday.
Mahama’s victory marks a shift in Ghana’s political landscape, with voters expressing frustration over economic challenges, including soaring inflation, currency depreciation, and the fallout from a historic debt crisis.
At 66, Mahama returns to power after a term as president from 2012 to 2016, during which he served as a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics. During his campaign, he positioned Bawumia as a continuation of policies that contributed to the nation’s recent economic difficulties, including a $3 billion bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund after Ghana defaulted on its international debt.
“I received a congratulatory call from my brother Dr. Bawumia this morning, following my emphatic victory in Saturday’s election. Thank you, Ghana,” Mahama shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Bawumia confirmed his concession during a press conference at his residence, acknowledging Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the parliamentary victors as well. “The data from our internal election collation indicates that former President John Dramani Mahama has decisively won the presidential election,” he said, emphasizing his early concession was aimed at reducing tensions.
Scuffles had been reported in several constituencies before Bawumia’s announcement, prompting him to call for peace and stability. “I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission to avoid further tension and preserve Ghana’s peace,” he added, reassuring investors of the country’s commitment to democracy.
Supporters of Mahama’s NDC flooded the streets of Accra in celebration, as early results showed Mahama leading with over 53% of the vote compared to Bawumia’s 45.16%, based on provisional results from 68 of the 276 constituencies.
NDC’s national spokesperson, Sammy Gyamfi, earlier claimed that internal party tallies from nearly 39,000 polling stations showed Mahama leading with around 56%, projecting the NDC would secure approximately 185 parliamentary seats.
Mahama’s return to power reflects a growing trend in West Africa, where electorates are increasingly rejecting incumbent governments amidst economic hardships.