Ghana Opposition Claims Victory in Presidential Election
Ghana’s opposition claims victory in the presidential election for candidate John Mahama amid ongoing official tallying. The election focused on economic challenges facing the country, with Mahama reportedly leading over Bawumia. As the waiting for official results continues, the election’s impact on the political landscape remains significant.
On Sunday, Ghana’s opposition party asserted that provisional election results indicated that their candidate, John Mahama, emerged victorious in the recent presidential election. However, the electoral commission clarified that they are still in the process of compiling the official counts. The election took place on Saturday, primarily featuring a contest between Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate and current Vice President. Bawumia has endeavored to distance himself from the electorate’s dissatisfaction regarding governmental policies and escalating living expenses.
The economic challenges within Ghana were central to this election, as the nation grappled with a debt default, currency devaluation, and soaring inflation—issues that led to a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Citizens were voting to choose a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is concluding his maximum term limit of two consecutive four-year terms, while also filling vacancies in the parliament.
According to an internal assessment shared by NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi, preliminary results indicated Mahama secured 56.3 percent of the votes, surpassing Bawumia’s 41.3 percent. “It is very clear the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi stated. A local broadcaster reported Mahama’s lead based on their tally of the results from 42 out of 276 constituencies. With election monitors present at each polling station, they work to observe and record the initial vote counts prior to their official submission to the electoral commission.
Bossman Asare, the Deputy Commissioner of the election commission, stated that the tallying processes remain incomplete and that regional results have yet to be received at the central level. Official results are expected to be released by Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bawumia is anticipated to address the media shortly. Despite the generally peaceful atmosphere during voting, incidents were reported in some regions, where fatal shootings occurred.
Ghana has maintained a reputation for stable democracies, witnessing alternating leadership between the NPP and NDC since the establishment of multi-party politics in 1992. Bawumia’s campaign slogan, “Break the 8,” refers to the ambition of leading the NPP to an unparalleled third consecutive term. However, he encountered significant challenges associated with the economic performance of the Akufo-Addo administration. Although inflation has seen a reduction from over 50 percent to around 23 percent, persistent economic difficulties remained prominent issues for many voters, facilitating Mahama’s resurgence as a formidable contender after two unsuccessful attempts since his presidency from 2012 to 2017.
The political landscape in Ghana has been characterized by a solid democratic tradition, with the two principal parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), alternating power since 1992. This election is particularly significant, as it follows a period of economic turmoil marked by high inflation, a bailout from the IMF, and public dissent concerning the current government’s policies. The outcome of this election not only determines the presidency but also reflects the electorate’s sentiments towards the handling of the economy under the current administration.
In summary, the recent presidential election in Ghana has become a pivotal moment as the opposition NDC claims victory based on provisional results, while official counts are still underway. Economic issues have strongly influenced voters, leading to a heightened demand for change. With a history of electoral competitiveness between the NDC and NPP, the results of this election could have lasting implications for the nation’s political and economic future.
Original Source: www.france24.com
