Ghana’s Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has publicly accepted defeat in the recent general election, congratulating opposition leader and former President John Mahama on his anticipated victory.
Bawumia’s remarks came amid ongoing delays in official results, attributing the hold-up to disruptions at collation centers caused by supporters from both major parties.
“The people have voted for change,” Bawumia stated, referring to internal tallies by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), which indicated Mahama’s decisive win.
Reports from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) suggested Mahama secured approximately 56% of the popular vote compared to Bawumia’s 41%. Bawumia emphasized that accepting defeat early was crucial to maintaining calm amidst heightened political tensions.
Celebrations erupted in Mahama’s strongholds, particularly in Tamale, Kumasi, and the capital city of Accra. His supporters expressed a mixture of relief and hope for the future, citing dissatisfaction with the economic challenges and governance experienced under the NPP administration.
Gajia One, an NDC supporter from Tamale, articulated a common sentiment among voters: “We thought they could manage the country well, but they have failed, and we take over again.”
Mahama, 65, returns to the presidency after previously leading the nation from 2012 until 2017, when he lost to current President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down after reaching his term limit. Historically, the NDC and NPP have dominated Ghanaian politics, with no party ever surpassing two consecutive terms in power.
Despite Mahama’s earlier term being marred by economic struggles and corruption allegations, many Ghanaians express optimism that his return might signal a recovery from the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
