Governance

Ghana: John Mahama Wins Presidential Election

DEC 9 2024·Updated DEC 10 2024

Story

Above: John Mahama following an interview in Accra, Ghana, on Nov. 6, 2024. Image credit: Ernest Ankomah/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Facts

Former Pres. John Mahama claimed victory in Ghana's presidential election Sunday after Vice Pres. Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat before the official announcement.
CNBC
Bawumia said Mahama had won the presidency "decisively." Tallies suggest Mahama's National Democratic Congress has also secured a majority in the 275-seat parliament.
www.ft.com
According to the first official results from 12 of the country's 16 regions, Mahama — who previously led Ghana from 2012 until 2017 — led with around 61% versus 38% for Bawumia.
BBC News
Last week, Deputy Electoral Commissioner Samuel Tettey said that voter turnout was approximately 61%, significantly lower than the 79% recorded in the 2020 election.
Bloomberg.com
The election marked a significant milestone, as Mahama became the first president of Ghana's Fourth Republic to reclaim the presidency after being previously voted out of office.
Africanews
France 24
Ghana's economic crisis, including a debt default in 2022 and subsequent $3B IMF bailout, emerged as the dominant electoral issue driving voters' decisions.
Al Jazeera
CNN
www.ft.com

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Mahama's win isn't a surprise. Economic mismanagement under Pres. Nana Akufo-Addo led to Ghana's worst financial crisis in a generation, with soaring inflation, currency depreciation, and a debt default that led to an International Monetary Fund bailout. Ghana's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, illegal gold mining, and environmental degradation forced frustrated voters to look for an alternative.

The Conversation

Narrative B

Nana's administration implemented transformative policies, including free education and digital initiatives. It maintained political stability in a volatile region, but external factors like COVID and global economic pressures undermined these achievements. Mahama's previous tenure was marred by a severe energy crisis and corruption scandals. It will be no different this time around.