Former President John Dramani Mahama has won Ghana’s presidential election after his main rival, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat in a closely watched poll.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Bawumia, the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), acknowledged Mahama’s victory and expressed respect for the will of the people.
“The people of Ghana have spoken. The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect it with all humility,” Bawumia said.
He described Mahama’s victory as “decisive” and noted that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had also won the parliamentary election, based on the NPP’s internal vote tally.
Mahama, who served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that he had received a congratulatory call from Bawumia regarding his “emphatic victory.”
The defeat marks the end of two terms in power for the NPP under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose administration faced criticism for Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, including soaring inflation and a debt default.
In his concession speech, Bawumia emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and preserving Ghana’s democratic reputation.
“Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the presidential election decisively,” Bawumia stated.
“The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await the final collation of a number of seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome. I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the electoral commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country.
“It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana.”
