Mahama stages comeback with historic win in 2024 Presidential Election

Former President John Dramani Mahama has been officially declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election, marking a significant return to leadership after his previous term from 2012 to 2017.

He secured 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55 percent of the votes, beating his closest contender, Vice President Bawumia, who garnered 4,657,304 votes, by over 1.6 million votes.

At a press conference held at the Electoral Commission’s (EC) headquarters in Accra to announce the final results, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa declared: "Mr. John Dramani Mahama of the NDC obtained 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55%. This is compared to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP, who secured 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61%."

Touching on the issue of outstanding results, Jean Mensa clarified that even if all the outstanding results were added to the candidate who emerged second, it wouldn't make any difference.

"Simply put, even if all the votes from the nine constituencies were added to the candidate who placed second, it will not change the outcome of the election. It is important to note that the Commission will update the records on receipt of the presidential results from the nine outstanding constituencies," she noted.

Breaking down the performance of the candidates, she indicated that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP obtained 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61%.

"John Dramani Mahama of the NDC obtained 6,328,397, and I’d like to repeat that Mr. John Dramani Mahama of the NDC obtained 6,328,397, being 56.55%. Hassan Ayariga of the APC obtained 17,461, being 0.16%. Mr. Kofi Koranteng, an independent candidate, obtained 3,320, being 0.03%. George Twum Barimah-Adu, an independent candidate, obtained 3,091, being 0.02%. Nana Kwame Bediako, an independent candidate, obtained 84,478, being 0.75%. Alan Kyeremanten, an independent candidate, obtained 31,202, being 0.28%.

"Daniel Augustus Lartey Jr. of the GCP obtained 16,673 votes, representing 0.15%. Christian Kwabena Andrews of the Ghana Union Movement obtained 16,461 votes, also representing 0.15%. Kofi Akpaloo of the LPG obtained 5,219 votes, or 0.09%. Mohammed Frimpong of the National Democratic Party secured 4,413 votes, representing 0.04%, while Nana Akosua Frimpong of the CPP garnered 23,390 votes, or 0.21%," she noted.

She further indicated that the total valid votes cast amounted to 11,191,422, with 239,109 rejected votes, bringing the total votes cast to 11,430,531.

"The percentage voter turnout based on the 267 constituencies stood at 60.9%, excluding the nine constituencies whose results were still outstanding," she noted.

Mahama’s campaign resonated with voters amid Ghana’s severe economic challenges, including high inflation and unemployment. He criticised the incumbent administration’s policies and positioned himself as a proponent of change and economic reform.

Bawumia conceded defeat just 15 hours after polls closed, an unprecedented move that came even before the EC had certified a quarter of the results.

JKB/BB

Watch the Electoral Commission's declaration of the results of 2024 elections below: