AFP
The echoes of jubilation resonate throughout Ghana as the official announcement from Saturday’s presidential election declares John Mahama, the opposition candidate and former president, victorious!
Securing an impressive 56.6% of the vote against Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s 41.6%, Mahama has not only emerged triumphant but has achieved the most significant victory margin witnessed in two dozen years.
With a voter turnout striking at 60.9%, as stated by Jean Mensa, the head of Ghana’s electoral commission, the political landscape has shifted remarkably.
Feeling nothing short of “humbled,” Mahama reflected on the monumental support for his National Democratic Congress (NDC), characterizing it as one of the best performances in the nation’s electoral saga.
He has pledged “a new beginning, a new direction,” declaring that Ghana has “made history” with the election of its inaugural female Vice-President, Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.
In a gracious show of sportsmanship, Bawumia conceded one day post-election, emphasizing his intent to diffuse further tension and maintain the nation’s peace.
However, dissatisfaction lingered among some citizens as they awaited the official results, which were seen as prolonged.
With President Nana Akufo-Addo’s departure following two constitutionally mandated terms, this election unfolds against the backdrop of Ghana grappling with its most severe economic crisis in decades.
Key issues such as soaring unemployment, skyrocketing living costs, and the devastating environmental repercussions of illegal gold mining—locally termed “galamsey”—loom large in the collective consciousness.
In the quest for change, Mahama has snatched pivotal regions—Bono, Ahafo, Western, and Central—previously dominated by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 elections.
Since Bawumia’s concession, ecstatic crowds have flooded the streets nationwide, waves of cheers punctuating the air, vibrant flags fluttering, horns echoing, and motorbikes adorning the scene with carefree spins!
“I’m utterly thrilled by this victory,” exuberated Salifu Abdul-Fatawu as he expressed hopes that change would usher in new job opportunities for his family, alleviating the burdens of rising food and fuel prices.
Despite the overall peaceful conduct of the election, shadows were cast by violence as two individuals tragically lost their lives in disparate incidents.
Moreover, tensions flared resulting in the destruction of the electoral commission office in Damongo, attributed to discontented NDC supporters over result delays.
At 65, Mahama, who steered Ghana from 2012 to 2017 before being succeeded by Akufo-Addo, stages a breathtaking comeback following his defeat in the 2020 elections.
The political dance between Mahama’s NDC and the NPP has characterized Ghana’s landscape since the advent of multi-party politics in 1992, with no party historically securing more than two consecutive terms—a trend seemingly set to persist.
Recall, Mahama’s earlier administration faced significant trials including economic hurdles, persistent power outages, and allegations of corruption.
Yet, amidst these clouds of the past, Ghanaians harbor a flicker of hope for a future invigorated by this newfound leadership.
Throughout the campaign, Mahama articulated aspirations to metamorphose Ghana into a “24-hour economy.”
The ceremonial swearing-in of the new president is set for 7 January 2025.
Additional reporting by Komla Adom in Kumasi
