December 9th 2024.
The political landscape in Ghana is buzzing with excitement as former President John Dramani Mahama prepares to return to office in the country's presidential election. This comes after the ruling party candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, gracefully accepted defeat and Ghanaians expressed their frustration with the government's handling of the economy.
Prior to the official announcement, Bawumia spoke to reporters and expressed his respect for the decision of the people to vote for change. "I have just called His Excellency John Mahama to congratulate him as the president-elect of the Republic of Ghana," he said at his residence in the capital city, Accra.
Mahama, who previously served as president between July 2012 and January 2017, acknowledged the call from his opponent in a post on the X platform. He described his victory as "emphatic" and had promised to "reset" the country on various fronts during his campaign, with a focus on the economy. His message largely resonated with young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the country's economic crisis.
The news of Mahama's win was met with celebrations among supporters of the opposition party in various parts of the country, including the capital. Women and young people dressed in the party's signature white, green, red, and black colors took to the streets to dance to music and trumpet blasts. The party's national headquarters was also filled with jubilant supporters.
The election for both the president and members of parliament was held amidst the country's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. It was seen as a crucial test for democracy in a region that has been plagued by extremist violence and coups. The regional bloc of ECOWAS declared the election to be generally peaceful, which has been a trend in Ghana's recent elections.
Bawumia, who ran as the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, struggled to resolve the economic crisis during his time as vice president under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo. Mahama's National Democratic Congress also won the majority in parliament, according to him.
This victory for Mahama follows a global trend of opposition parties winning against incumbents, from the United States to European countries like Britain and France, as well as South Africa. Many Ghanaians, like policy analyst Jude Agbemava who voted for Mahama, see him as the only person who can fix the ailing economy in the country, which is one of West Africa's economic powerhouses.
As political science expert Seidu Alidu from Ghana's University of Legon explains, this election was similar to others around the world where the incumbent lost. It was a way for the people to express their dissatisfaction with a government that has lost the trust and support of its citizens. "I think it has to do with the economy, which is a bread and butter issue for every Ghanaian," Alidu said. "When the people elect you, they expect you to fulfill certain promises. But it was also about the style of governance. Even in other countries facing economic challenges, governments were honest with the people and communicated the steps they were taking to manage the situation," he added.
This story was reported by Asadu from Abuja, Nigeria.
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