Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia accepted defeat in Saturday’s election and congratulated the opposition candidate, former president John Mahama, on his victory.
“The folks voted for change,” Bawumia stated.
The elections happen on the time of the nation’s worst financial disaster in a era, which has seen the price of primary requirements rise dramatically, whereas younger folks have struggled to seek out work and the nation has been unable to repay its money owed.
Despite Bawumia’s concession, no official outcomes had been declared.
The Electoral Commission (EC) stated the outcomes had been delayed as a result of supporters of the 2 foremost events had been obstructing the method and requested police to clear the gathering centres.
Mahama’s supporters took to the streets throughout the nation to have fun, cheering, waving flags, taking part in vuvuzelas and revving motorbikes.
“I’m so enthusiastic about this victory,” Salifu Abdul-Fatawu advised the BBC within the central metropolis of Kumasi.
He stated he hoped it meant he and his brother would discover work, whereas the value of meals and gasoline would drop.
Nana, an NPP supporter, additionally accepted that “my occasion is the NPP, however no matter they did was not good.
“The system was dangerous in an election 12 months and so most individuals weren’t blissful.”
Bawumia stated he was basing his assertion on inside tallies of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He stated these present that Mahama gained “decisively”, whereas the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) additionally gained the parliamentary elections.
Mahama confirmed that Bawumia had referred to as him to congratulate him on his “emphatic victory”.
The NDC had earlier stated its inside outcomes confirmed Mahama had gained 56% of the vote to Bawumia’s 41%.
The vice chairman stated he would settle for defeat earlier than the official announcement of the outcomes “to keep away from additional tensions and protect peace in our nation.”
President Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after reaching his official two-term restrict.
Mahama, 65, beforehand led Ghana from 2012 to 2017, when he was changed by Akufo-Addo. Mahama additionally misplaced the 2020 elections, so this victory represents a surprising comeback.
Since the return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992, solely NDC or NPP candidates have gained the presidency.
No occasion has ever gained greater than two consecutive phrases in energy: a pattern that appears set to proceed.
Mahama’s earlier interval in workplace was marked by a struggling financial system, frequent energy outages and corruption scandals.
However, Ghanaians hope that this time issues shall be completely different.
In Tamale, NDC supporter Gajia One advised the BBC: “We handed over the NPP to them and we thought they might run the nation properly, however they failed and we take again management.”
“John Mahama is the best man to rule this nation. We are fed up.”
Additional reporting by Natasha Booty
