Ghana’s former President John Mahama's historic victory
Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has won the
country's presidential election. Earlier, his main rival Vice President Mahamudu
Bawumia conceded defeat. "The people of Ghana have expressed their
opinion," said Bawumia at a press conference on Sunday. They have voted to
change this time and we humbly respect that.
The defeat in Saturday's election ended the two-term rule of
the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by incumbent President Nana
Akufo-Addo. It was during his reign that Ghana faced its worst economic crisis,
including high inflation and debt.
Bawumia said he called to congratulate Mahama of the
National Democratic Congress (NDC). Earlier, NDC spokesperson Sammy Gyamfi told
reporters that an internal review of the party's results showed that Mahama won
with 56.3 percent of the vote, while Bawumia got 41.3 percent.
"It is very clear that the people of the country have
voted for change," he said.
The vice president, on the other hand, said Mahama won the
presidential election "without a doubt". According to the NPP's
internal vote counting data, the NDC has won the parliamentary elections.
Mahama Xay, who was Ghana's president from July 2012 to
January 2017, confirmed that Bawumia had congratulated him on his "clear
victory".
In addition, supporters of the 65-year-old Mahama have
already gathered outside the party's campaign headquarters in the capital Accra
to celebrate with loud chants and cheers.
During the campaign, Mahama promised to 'restructure' the
country in various areas and tried to attract young Ghanaians. His victory
marked a historic milestone. Because he is the first president of Ghana's
Fourth Republic (since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992) to be
re-elected after losing power once.
Gold-mining and cocoa-producing Ghana received a $3 million
International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout after battling a debt crisis and
currency devaluation.
In the corruption case, Mahama promised during the campaign
that he would create a new office that would scrutinize government purchases
over $5 million. According to him, uncontrolled procurement process is a major
source of corruption. But Mahama expressed support for the anti-LGBTQ bill
passed by Ghana's parliament in February, which has yet to become law and has
drawn international criticism.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana said the results of the
election will be officially announced by Tuesday. Ghana's two main parties—the
NPP and NDC—have held power equally since the return to multiparty politics in
1992, with a history of democratic stability.
Source: Al Jazeera
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