Ghana has elected John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as its new President, following a smooth electoral process. Mahama’s opponent, Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), acknowledged his defeat and congratulated the winner.
In a press conference in Accra, Bawumia stated, "The people of Ghana spoke, voted for change, and we respect that with all humility." Streets in the capital began to fill with Mahama’s supporters celebrating the victory.
Although the Electoral Commission has not yet released official results, preliminary data from the NDC suggests a comfortable win for Mahama, who previously served as President from 2013 to 2017. He has confirmed receiving a congratulatory call from Bawumia.
The elections, held on December 7, also included parliamentary votes, with citizens facing high inflation and significant national debt. Ghana recently secured a $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address these economic challenges.
As Africa's top gold producer and a significant cocoa exporter, Ghana is viewed as a stable investment destination, particularly in a region experiencing political turmoil and constitutional crises. The Electoral Commission indicated that official results may not be available until Tuesday, as regional counts are still ongoing.
Ghana's political landscape has been characterized by alternating power between the NDC and NPP since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992.