Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama staged a political comeback by winning the country’s presidential race on Saturday local time after his main opponent incumbent Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat.
Mahama confirmed his victory in a post on social media site X on Sunday, local time.
Ghanaians cast their votes on Saturday to elect a new president and 276 parliamentarians.
Mahama, who leads the opposition National Democratic Congress, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who leads the ruling New Patriotic Party, and 11 others competed for the presidency. A total of 801 candidates, including 111 independent ones, vied for the 276 seats in the unicameral legislature.
Mahama, born in 1958, took office as president in July 2012, following the death of his predecessor — John Atta Mills.
He contested re-election for a second term in the 2016 election, but lost to the New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the year.
Mahama, 66, triumphed in his fourth consecutive bid for the presidency amid public frustration over Ghana’s economic woes, including high prices and scarce jobs.
Saturday’s vote was seen as a test of the West African nation’s democratic credentials. Mahama’s win marks a shift in Ghana’s political landscape as voters sought change in response to a severe economic crisis.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agye-mang, running mate to National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer and president-elect John Dramani Mahama, is on track to make history as the country’s first female vice president.
Her selection was widely celebrated, particularly by women’s rights groups, as a significant step toward increasing gender representation in leadership and governance. Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s election marks a pivotal moment for women in politics, not only in Ghana but across the African continent.
