John Mahama Declared Winner of Ghana’s 2024 Presidential Election

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has declared former President John Mahama the winner of the 2024 presidential election, securing his return to the nation’s highest office.  

Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate and current Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, by a significant margin of 1.7 million votes. He received approximately 6.3 million votes compared to Mr. Bawumia’s 4.5 million.  

In a final declaration made at 4:30 pm on Sunday, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa announced that Mahama had won more than 50 percent of the total votes cast, making him the president-elect. Mahama triumphed in 13 of Ghana’s regions, while Mr. Bawumia secured victory in just three.  

In her speech, Mensa lauded the fairness and transparency of the election process, emphasising that the Vice President’s concession before the official declaration was a testament to the election’s credibility.  

“This bold determination and this bold decision was based on our resolve to uphold the integrity of the election at all costs. We have conducted elections that are fair, free, credible, transparent, and peaceful. The outcomes have been accepted by all.”  

She highlighted the EC’s efforts to ensure efficiency, including the use of biometric verification devices that streamlined voting and reduced average wait times at polling stations to about five minutes.  

Mensa pointed to the transparency of the electoral process, allowing political parties, media houses, and citizens to independently verify results with near precision. This, she noted, helped to foster trust in the election outcomes and minimize suspicions often associated with elections across the continent.  

“Our mandate is not to make anyone a president or a member of parliament but to conduct credible and transparent elections that uphold the voter’s choice,” she stressed.  

She also expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the election, including the EC staff, media partners, security services, and citizens, commending the Ghana Police Service and the National Peace Council for their roles in ensuring a peaceful electoral process.  

“To our staff who worked tirelessly, often at great personal risk, we say thank you,” Mrs. Mensa stated. “To the media partners and the Ghana Police Service, we are deeply grateful for your unwavering support.”  

Chioma Kalu

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