By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
AMID GROWING anticipation for the official results of Ghana’s 2024 presidential election, Vice-President Bawumia Mahamudu of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has conceded defeat to opposition candidate and former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Bawumia’s gesture, made via a phone call to Mahama on Sunday, reflected his acknowledgment of parallel vote collation indicating his loss.
The concession was broadcast on national television and sparked widespread celebrations by NDC supporters across the streets.
Official results from the Electoral Commission (EC) are still being awaited, though the elections drew over 18 million registered voters out of Ghana’s 34 million population to the polls on Saturday.
Mahama, a one-term President defeated in 2016 by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo, now returns to political prominence.
Since Ghana’s transition to multiparty democracy in 1992, the NPP and NDC have alternated power, showcasing the resilience of the country’s democratic framework.
Commending the electoral process, Dr Namadi Sambo, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, highlighted Ghana’s democratic maturity, citing high voter turnout and peaceful conduct.
“This election underscores Ghana’s political resilience and commitment to upholding electoral integrity,” Dr Sambo said.
He lauded Bawumia’s statesmanship for his timely concession, calling it pivotal to sustaining peace.
Other observers, including the African Union’s Sahle-Work Zewde and former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan, echoed similar sentiments.
They urged stakeholders to address identified challenges, including isolated security incidents, to fortify future electoral processes.
Police confirmed one fatality during a violent altercation in northern Ghana, though the elections were largely peaceful.
ECOWAS President Dr Omar Alieu Touray congratulated Mahama on his victory and praised Ghana’s citizens for their role in maintaining peace.
“The elections reaffirm Ghana’s position as a beacon of democracy in West Africa,” he said. ECOWAS deployed over 120 observers across the country to monitor the polls, underscoring their commitment to strengthening democratic institutions in the region.
Mahama’s victory is said to have set the stage for a new chapter in Ghana’s leadership, with expectations high for reconciliation, economic stability, and inclusive governance.
