Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, conceded defeat to former President John Mahama in Ghana’s presidential election, marking an end to the NPP’s two-term governance amid economic challenges.
“The people of Ghana have spoken and have chosen change.
We respect this decision with humility,” Bawumia stated during a press conference on Sunday.
He confirmed calling Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, to congratulate him on his decisive victory.
Supporters of Mahama, already jubilant, gathered at the NDC campaign headquarters in Accra to celebrate the outcome.
On his social media account, Mahama acknowledged Bawumia’s call, describing his victory as “emphatic.”
Bawumia also conceded that Mahama’s NDC had secured a majority in the parliamentary election, citing the NPP’s internal vote tally.
The election centered on Ghana’s economic struggles, including a debt crisis, currency devaluation, and high inflation, culminating in a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout.
Although inflation had eased from over 50% to about 23%, economic woes remained a major voter concern.
Earlier, NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi reported that the party’s internal review showed Mahama winning 56.3% of the vote, compared to Bawumia’s 41.3%.
“It is clear the people of Ghana have voted for change,” Gyamfi said.
Ghana’s electoral commission has not yet announced the official results, expected by Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner Bossman Asare noted that regional results were still being collated at the national level.
The election reflects Ghana’s stable democratic tradition, with power alternating between the NPP and NDC since 1992.
Bawumia’s campaign, under the slogan “Break the 8,” aimed to secure an unprecedented third term for the NPP but struggled to distance itself from criticism of outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo’s economic record.
Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017, returns to power after two failed presidential bids, riding a wave of voter frustration and a demand for change.
AFP
