Ghana’s opposition claims that John Mahama has won the presidential election based on provisional results, while electoral authorities are still formalizing the tallies. The election, affected by the country’s economic struggles, saw Mahama lead with 56.3% to Vice President Bawumia’s 41.3%. Voting occurred with some violence but largely remained calm. Official results are anticipated by Tuesday, determining the future leadership of Ghana.
Accra, Ghana – The opposition party in Ghana has asserted that provisional results from the recent presidential election indicate their candidate, John Mahama, has emerged victorious. Despite this claim, electoral officials have communicated that the official tallying process is still underway. During the election held over the weekend, Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) faced off against the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who aimed to mitigate public dissatisfaction regarding governmental policies and rising living expenses.
The election was predominantly influenced by the nation’s economic challenges, which included a looming debt default, currency devaluation, and soaring inflation, ultimately culminating in a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Voters were tasked with selecting a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is concluding his maximum tenure of four years. Additionally, they voted for a new parliament.
According to NDC spokesperson Sammy Gyamfi, their internal analysis suggested Mahama received 56.3 percent of the votes compared to Bawumia’s 41.3 percent. “It is very clear the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi remarked to the media. Reports from local broadcaster ChannelOne TV, having counted 42 of the 276 constituencies, also indicated Mahama in the lead.
Officials from the election commission confirmed that regional results are still being processed before final calculations can begin at the national center. The commission has indicated that official results are expected to be announced by Tuesday.
Overall, the election proceeded largely peacefully, though it was marred by violence resulting in two fatalities from shootings in northern and central regions, as confirmed by police reports. With a longstanding tradition of political stability, Ghana has witnessed alternating leadership between its main parties, the NPP and NDC, since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992.
With the campaign slogan “Break the 8,” Bawumia sought to secure an unprecedented third term for the NPP, yet faced considerable hurdles due to public criticism of President Akufo-Addo’s economic stewardship. Although inflation rates have decreased from over 50 percent to approximately 23 percent, and other economic indicators show signs of stabilization, economic hardship remained a significant issue affecting voters. Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, has attempted a political revival following two unsuccessful presidential bids.
The political environment in Ghana has been characterized by a stable democratic tradition, with the two principal parties, the NPP and NDC, alternating in governance since the introduction of multi-party politics in the early 1990s. Economic conditions have recently deteriorated, marked by high inflation and significant debt levels, prompting a bailout from the IMF to avert financial crisis. As voters participated in the presidential elections, their choices were heavily influenced by these economic adversities and the performance of the outgoing administration.
The Ghanaian presidential election has drawn attention as opposition party claims of victory surface, despite ongoing official counts. With economic issues at the heart of voter concerns, the potential return of John Mahama marks a significant political shift if confirmed. As the electoral commission prepares to release official results, the country remains in a contemplative state regarding its future leadership and governance amidst prevailing economic challenges.
Original Source: www.france24.com
