ACCRA, – In a historic political comeback that reshapes Ghana’s political landscape, former President John Dramani Mahama clinched victory in the West African nation’s presidential election on Sunday, marking an unprecedented achievement in the country’s democratic history.
The triumph, acknowledged by incumbent Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in a swift concession, makes Mahama the first leader in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to reclaim the presidency after a previous electoral defeat – a feat that has eluded politicians since the country’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992.
“Let me say that the veri from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the Presidential election decisively,” Bawumia declared from his residence, adding that Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) had also secured a parliamentary majority.
The 66-year-old Mahama’s victory comes at a crucial juncture for Ghana, as the nation grapples with economic turbulence, including a recent debt default and a $3 billion International Monetary Fund rescue package.
Mahama’s journey to this electoral triumph is as compelling as his political resurgence. A writer and Afrobeat enthusiast who penned “My First Coup d’Etat — And Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa,” his early life was shaped by privilege and political upheaval in northern Ghana. As the son of a junior minister whose home boasted the village’s only diesel generator, he witnessed firsthand the precarious nature of power when his father was briefly detained during the 1966 coup.
The president-elect’s campaign resonated with voters through his bold promise to “reset” Ghana and introduce a “24-hour economy” to tackle unemployment – a pledge that struck a chord with the nation’s youth. His platform also included plans to renegotiate aspects of the IMF deal and establish a new anti-corruption office to scrutinize government procurement exceeding $5 million.
However, Mahama’s previous tenure in office (2012-2017) cast a long shadow over his campaign. His administration was plagued by a severe energy crisis that led to persistent power outages – dubbed “dumsor” locally – and faced corruption allegations, though no formal charges were filed.
The peaceful transfer of power, underscored by Bawumia’s early concession, reinforces Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa. “I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country,” Bawumia stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining investor confidence in Ghana’s democratic character.
As Mahama prepares to retake the helm, he brings substantial international experience, including his leadership during the Ebola crisis as chairman of ECOWAS, the regional West African bloc. However, he faces immediate challenges, including the implementation of Ghana’s controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, which passed parliament in February but remains unsigned amid international scrutiny.
Campaign spokesperson Mustapha Gbande’s pre-election confidence proved prescient: “People are looking for change and they trust Mahama to steer the country in a better direction.” Now, as Ghana’s returning president prepares to navigate the nation through its economic challenges, the world watches to see if this historic second chance will yield the transformation voters have demanded. (WiredJA)