John Mahama officially declared winner of the 2024 Presidential Election by the EC with 56.55% of the votes counted

After a prolonged delay, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, headed by Jean Mensa, has officially declared John Mahama as the winner of the 2024 Presidential Election. The announcement was made on the evening of December 9, 2024, following extensive deliberation, solidifying Mahama’s victory over his main rival, Mahamudu Bawumia. This declaration came after Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, had already conceded defeat shortly after the polls closed on December 7, 2024.
Jean Mensa, who serves as the EC Chairperson and also as the Returning Officer for the presidential election, expressed confidence in the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. In her statement, she emphasized, “As a commission, we have fulfilled our vowed aspiration to have transparency at the heart of our operations,” highlighting the EC’s commitment to ensuring a free and fair election. This statement was made as she officially announced the final results of the presidential race.
John Mahama, the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured 56.55% of the total valid votes, translating into 6,328,397 votes. His victory marked a significant moment in Ghana’s political history, as Mahama previously served as the President of Ghana from 2012 to 2016. This win has now granted him the opportunity to return to office for another term. Mahama’s decisive lead was achieved despite a highly competitive race against Bawumia, who had enjoyed strong support from the ruling NPP party.
Mahamudu Bawumia, who had been one of the key contenders in the election, initially expressed optimism about his chances of winning. However, after the conclusion of the election on December 7, he made the unprecedented move of conceding defeat swiftly, a gesture that many saw as a sign of sportsmanship and respect for the democratic process. His early concession was an indication of his confidence in the EC’s ability to deliver an accurate and fair outcome, despite the delays in the announcement of the results.
The election results were confirmed after a thorough review of votes from across Ghana. However, the EC had to deal with challenges related to the collation of results from some constituencies. According to Jean Mensa, the commission was unable to complete the collation process for nine constituencies, which were excluded from the final count. Despite the absence of these constituencies, the results declared by the EC indicated that Mahama’s victory was secure, as his lead was substantial enough to ensure that no further results would affect the outcome of the election.
The total number of votes cast in the 2024 election, according to the EC, was significant, with millions of Ghanaians participating in the democratic process. The voter turnout, calculated based on the constituencies for which results had been finalized, stood at an impressive 60.9%. However, the nine constituencies that were still pending results represented a small portion of the total registered voters, which meant that even with the inclusion of these constituencies, Mahama’s win remained uncontested.
Mrs. Jean Mensa, in her role as the Returning Officer, reassured the nation that the delay in announcing the results was due to the commission’s dedication to accuracy and transparency. She emphasized that the EC wanted to ensure that all procedures were meticulously followed to guarantee the credibility of the electoral outcome.
With the official declaration of John Mahama’s victory, the stage is now set for the next phase of Ghana’s political landscape. Mahama’s return to office is anticipated to bring new challenges and opportunities, as he prepares to assume the presidency once again. His victory, following a contentious and hard-fought election, marks the continuation of Ghana’s tradition of peaceful transitions of power, and further solidifies the country’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in West Africa.
As the dust settles after the election, the focus now shifts to Mahama’s upcoming policies and his plans for Ghana’s future, as he looks to address the key issues facing the country. Meanwhile, the NPP and Bawumia, despite the loss, have vowed to support the incoming administration, continuing the tradition of political cooperation in the interest of national development.