Mahama Makes a Historic Comeback with 2024 Presidential Election Victory

Former President John Dramani Mahama has been officially declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election, marking a historic return to leadership after his first term from 2012 to 2017. Mahama, the candidate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured a decisive victory, receiving 6,328,397 votes, which accounts for 56.55% of the total votes. His closest opponent, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), garnered 4,657,304 votes, amounting to 41.61%, resulting in a margin of over 1.6 million votes.
The declaration of Mahama’s victory was made by the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, in a press conference held on December 9, 2024, at the EC headquarters in Accra. She confirmed that Mahama had won with a clear majority, stating that even if all the votes from the remaining nine constituencies were added to Bawumia’s total, the outcome of the election would not change. “Even if all the outstanding results were to be counted, the result would remain the same,” Mensa affirmed.
Mensa also provided a detailed breakdown of the vote counts for all the candidates who participated in the election. In addition to Mahama and Bawumia, several other candidates contested the presidential race, but none received significant support. For instance, Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC) received just 17,461 votes, or 0.16%, while independent candidates Kofi Koranteng and George Twum Barimah-Adu received 0.03% and 0.02% of the vote, respectively. Nana Kwame Bediako, another independent contender, secured 84,478 votes, amounting to 0.75%, while Alan Kyerematen, who also ran as an independent, earned 31,202 votes (0.28%).
The total valid votes cast in the election stood at 11,191,422, while the total number of votes cast, including rejected votes, amounted to 11,430,531. The overall voter turnout for the election, based on 267 constituencies, was 60.9%, though the final turnout figures may slightly change once the results from the remaining nine constituencies are factored in.
Mahama’s victory was attributed to his ability to connect with the electorate, particularly given the country’s difficult economic situation. Ghana has been facing economic challenges such as high inflation, rising unemployment, and growing public dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of economic issues. Mahama’s campaign focused on promises of reform and change, with a strong emphasis on revitalizing the economy and addressing the hardships faced by ordinary citizens. He criticized the incumbent administration’s economic policies and offered himself as a leader capable of reversing the country’s economic decline.
The NDC’s campaign was also buoyed by Mahama’s reputation as a former president who had managed to stabilize the country’s economy during his first term. His supporters believed that he would be able to bring about positive change and steer the country back to prosperity. Mahama’s focus on youth unemployment, high inflation, and the rising cost of living resonated with many voters who were disillusioned with the current state of affairs under the NPP government.
In a surprising and unprecedented move, Bawumia conceded defeat just 15 hours after the polls closed, even before the EC had officially declared a significant portion of the results. His early concession was seen as a sign of respect for the democratic process and as an indication of his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. This act of sportsmanship was widely praised, as it demonstrated a willingness to put the country’s interests above political rivalry.
Mahama’s victory represents a major political shift in Ghana, and his second term in office promises to be one of both opportunities and challenges. While his supporters are celebrating the return of the NDC to power, the nation faces significant hurdles, particularly in addressing the economic difficulties that have defined much of the past few years. As Mahama prepares to take office once again, his leadership will be closely scrutinized, and his ability to fulfill his promises of reform will be crucial to his legacy.
John Dramani Mahama’s historic win in the 2024 presidential election marks a momentous occasion in Ghana’s political history. His victory reflects widespread support for change and reform, particularly in the face of economic challenges. As he embarks on his second term, Mahama’s leadership will be critical in shaping the future direction of Ghana, and his ability to tackle the nation’s pressing issues will determine the success of his presidency.