Ghana’s ruling party candidate concedes presidential election to his opposition rival John Dramani Mahama

Ghana's Vice President concedes defeat to former President in closely contested election, reflecting global trend of opposition victories.

Ghana’s Vice President and ruling party candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat Sunday (December 8, 2024) to opposition candidate and former President John Dramani Mahama in the West African nation's tightly contested presidential election.

Ahead of the official announcement, Mr. Bawumia told reporters that he respects the decision of Ghanaians to vote for change. “I’ve just called His Excellency John Mahama to congratulate him as president-elect of the Republic of Ghana,” he said at his residence in the capital, Accra.

Mr. Mahama acknowledged the call from the ruling party candidate in a post on the X platform, describing his victory as “emphatic.”

Celebrations broke out among the supporters of the opposition candidate in parts of the country, including the capital city.

The election was held against the backdrop of the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups.

Mr. Bawumia was running as the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, or NPP, which has struggled to resolve the economic crisis under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Mahama's win is viewed as following the latest trend of elections around the world, favouring opposition parties against incumbents, from the United States to European countries — such as Britain and France — as well as South Africa.