EC Chairperson declares John Mahama President-elect

John Dramani Mahama has been declared the President-elect following Ghana’s general election held last Saturday. 

The Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, announced the results at the EC’s Corporate Head Office in Accra, confirming that Mr. Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured 6,328,397 votes (56.55%), surpassing the 50%+1 threshold needed for victory.

His closest contender, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), garnered 4,657,304 votes (41.61%). The results were based on 267 constituencies, as results from nine constituencies with 947,116 registered voters remained outstanding.

However, even if the outstanding votes were fully awarded to Mr. Bawumia, it would not alter the outcome.

The voter turnout was 60.9%, with 11,430,531 ballots cast out of a registered voter population of 18,774,159. Rejected ballots totaled 239,109. Businessman Nana Kwame Bediako (Cheddar), running as an independent candidate, came third with 84,478 votes (0.75%), followed by Alan Kyerematen of the Movement for Change with 31,202 votes (0.28%).

Other candidates received less than 0.25% of the vote.

Jean Mensa emphasised the EC’s commitment to transparency and credibility, highlighting measures such as re-exhibiting the voters’ register, facilitating online verification, and swiftly addressing incidents like defaced ballots.

She stated, “The voters of Ghana have spoken, and their choice will today be upheld by the Electoral Commission.”

Observers, including political party representatives, local and international monitors, and members of the diplomatic community, attended the declaration. Vice-President Bawumia conceded defeat, underscoring the integrity of the process.

This victory marks Mr. Mahama’s return to the presidency after serving from 2012 to 2016.

His campaign centred on economic recovery, combating corruption, job creation through a proposed 24-hour economy, and reforms in key sectors like education and industry.

Economic challenges, including inflation, currency depreciation, and rising unemployment, significantly influenced voter sentiment, paving the way for Mr. Mahama’s triumph.