Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) claimed on Sunday that provisional results from the presidential election showed its candidate, John Mahama, securing victory.
Meanwhile, electoral authorities stated that official results were still being collated.
The election, held on Saturday, was largely seen as a contest between Mahama and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
Bawumia aimed to distance himself from growing public discontent over government policies and economic hardships, including high inflation and a $3 billion IMF bailout.
According to NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi, internal party tallies showed Mahama winning 56.3% of the vote, compared to 41.3% for Bawumia.
“It is very clear the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi declared during a press briefing.
Local broadcaster ChannelOne TV also reported that early results from 42 out of 276 constituencies placed Mahama ahead of Bawumia.
However, Deputy Electoral Commissioner Bossman Asare emphasized that the official results were still being processed, with regional tallies yet to reach the national collation center.
The commission expects to announce the final results by Tuesday.
The election occurred against the backdrop of Ghana’s economic challenges, including a debt default, currency devaluation, and high living costs.
While inflation has dropped from over 50% to about 23%, voters remain critical of the ruling party’s economic record under President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down after serving two four-year terms.
Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017, mounted a strong comeback after losing two subsequent presidential bids.
Saturday’s vote was largely peaceful, though two fatalities were reported in separate incidents in the northern and central regions, according to the Ghana Police Service.
Ghana has a history of democratic stability, with power alternating between the NPP and NDC since the country’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992.
The election has been closely watched as Bawumia aimed to “Break the 8″—a reference to the NPP’s goal of securing an unprecedented third term in office.
AFP
