Ghana’s Electoral Commission has declared John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
According to the official results collated from all 16 regions, Mahama secured 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the total valid votes cast, defeating his main contender, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Dr Bawumia garnered 4,657,304 votes, which translates to 41.61%, while other candidates collectively amassed 205,721 votes or 1.84%.
Turnout and Ballot Rejections
The election saw a voter turnout of 60.9%, with 11,191,422 valid votes recorded out of the total ballots cast.
However, the election also recorded a significant number of rejected ballots, totalling 239,109, a reminder of the need for continuous voter education.
Regional Breakdown of Results
John Mahama’s stronghold in regions such as the Volta, Upper East, Upper West, and Greater Accra regions played a crucial role in his victory. Dr. Bawumia, while dominating in the Ashanti and Eastern regions, fell short of the numbers needed to secure a nationwide win.
Implications of the Results
John Mahama’s victory marks his return to the presidency after previously serving as Ghana’s leader from 2012 to 2017.
His campaign promises to tackle economic challenges, restore confidence in governance, and implement far-reaching reforms seem to have resonated with voters.
Dr. Bawumia’s loss, despite his notable achievements as Vice President, signals a challenging future for the NPP, which must now reassess its strategies and priorities as the opposition party.
