John Mahama triumphs over Mahamudu Bawumia

Official outcomes from Saturday's presidential election in Ghana confirmed the victory of opposition candidate, former President John Mahama.

With ends in all 16 areas of the nation, Mahama gained with 56.6% in opposition to 41.6% for Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia.

That is the most important margin of victory in 24 years.

Voter turnout was 60.9%, stated the top of Ghana's electoral fee, Jean Mensa.

Reacting to the announcement of his official standing as president-elect, Mahama was seen smiling and clapping surrounded by his household in photographs broadcast on nationwide tv.

The vice chairman had already accepted his defeat a day after the vote and congratulated Mahama on his victory, however there was some frustration with the sluggish tempo at which official outcomes are being introduced.

President Nana Akufo-Addo resigns after reaching the official two-term restrict.

This election comes within the midst of the worst financial disaster in a era.

Unemployment, the price of dwelling and issues concerning the environmental affect of unlawful gold mining, generally known as “galmasey”, have been among the many most important points.

Whereas many Ghanaians have been determined for change, Mahama gained a number of areas – together with Bono, Ahafo, Western and Central – that the ruling New Patriotic Celebration (NPP) had gained in 2020.

However, the outcomes from the Ashanti area, thought-about a stronghold of the NPP, haven’t but been introduced.

For the reason that Bawumia concession on Sunday, Mahama supporters have been celebrating throughout the nation.

Individuals cheered, waved flags, honked horns and revved bikes.

“I'm so enthusiastic about this victory,” Salifu Abdul-Fatawu instructed the BBC in Kumasi, within the middle of the nation.

He stated he hoped it might imply he and his brother would discover jobs, whereas the worth of meals and gasoline would fall.

The vice chairman stated he accepted defeat earlier than the outcomes have been formally introduced “to keep away from additional tensions and protect the peace of our nation.”

Though the elections have been typically peaceable, two folks have been shot lifeless in separate incidents on Saturday.

The electoral fee workplace within the northern city of Damongo was additionally destroyed, apparently by NDC supporters offended at delays in saying the outcomes.

Mahama, 65, led Ghana from 2012 till 2017, when he was changed by Akufo-Addo. Mahama additionally misplaced the 2020 elections, so this victory represents a convincing comeback.

Mahama's Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP have succeeded one another in energy for the reason that return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992.

No celebration has ever gained greater than two consecutive phrases in energy – a pattern that’s anticipated to proceed.

Mahama's earlier time period was marked by a struggling economic system, frequent energy outages and corruption scandals.

Nonetheless, Ghanaians are hoping it will likely be totally different this time.

In the course of the marketing campaign, Mahama promised to remodel Ghana right into a “24-hour economic system”.

The brand new president will probably be sworn in on January 7, 2025.

Extra reporting from Komla Adom in Kumasi