John Dramani Mahama has re-emerged victoriously as Ghana’s president after he was officially declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election by the Electoral Commission (EC) on December 9, 2024. Having received 56.55% of the votes, Mahama’s return marks a significant comeback for the former president, who led the nation from 2012 to 2016 before losing his bid for re-election.
Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), managed to collect 6,328,397 votes compared to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 4,657,304 votes, which accounts for 41.61%. According to Jean Mensa, the EC Chairperson, the results were compiled from 267 constituencies, though issues surrounding nine constituencies remained unresolved at the time of the announcement.
Mensa emphasized, “Even if all votes from nine constituencies are added to the candidate who placed second, it will not change the outcome of the election,” reinforcing the strength of Mahama’s lead. The EC Chairperson underscored the transparency of the voting process and confirmed the total valid votes cast amounted to 11,191,422 with rejected ballots hitting 239,109. Voter turnout was reported to be 60.9% across the participating constituencies.
The declaration concluded two days of anxious waiting for Ghanaians after they cast their ballots on December 7. Voters had braved long lines and, at times, chaotic conditions to secure their rights. It was not all smooth sailing, as reports of violence arose following the elections, leading to casualties and unrest, which resulted in the police detaining dozens for election-related offenses.
Dr. Bawumia had conceded defeat the day prior to the official announcement, confirming the internal figures from his party indicated Mahama’s decisive victory. During his press conference, Bawumia expressed his appreciation to supporters and reiterated the need for patience as all parliamentary results continue to be tallied.
Mahama’s campaign focused heavily on promises to tackle Ghana’s pressing economic challenges, as inflation and fuel shortages plagued the nation. After acknowledging the challenges faced, he pledged to “reset Ghana’s economy” and work on renegotiation matters related to the International Monetary Fund’s bailout terms, which many had criticized through the outgoing administration.
The NDC not only won the presidency but also secured a strong foothold by winning enough parliamentary seats to establish dominance, which has shifted the political dynamics within the parliament. Despite some parliamentary seats still undecided due to contested results, Mahama’s NDC appears well-positioned to push their legislative agenda within the next government term.
The aftermath revealed disparate reactions among political segments; NDC supporters celebrated the result with jubilant displays, expressing hope for Mahama’s new administration. Meanwhile, supporters of the NPP remarked on the unexpected nature of the defeat, advocating learnings from the lost race.
Voter sentiment appeared to be shaped largely by economic factors, as President Mahama’s previous administration had laid out considerable groundwork for infrastructural development, yet faced criticism for not effectively managing economic stability during its last tenure.
Five other presidential candidates competed in this election but received minimal support, with none exceeding 1% of the total votes, highlighting the binary nature of Ghanaian politics, predominantly leaning toward the two major parties, NDC and NPP.
Candidates from various parties recognized the need for democratic principles to be maintained and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in Ghana’s political processes, emphasizing solidarity among political factions during the upcoming transition.
Political analysts are speculating on the strategies employed by each party leading up to the elections and how both the NDC and NPP will navigate the aftermath of this election results.
Looking forward, Mahama will officially take his oath of office on January 7, 2025. This inauguration will signify not only the restoration of his presidency but also, as many hope, the beginning of tangible changes geared toward economic recovery and stability for Ghanaians, who have faced significant hardship under the recent governance.