Ghana’s opposition leader, John Mahama has officially won the country’s election, easily defeating the ruling party candidate after voters punished the government’s economic management and the high costs of living.
Declaring the results, Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa said Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in Saturday’s presidential ballot, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who secured 41 percent, the electoral commission said, announcing official results.
Vice President Bawumia, a former central banker, had already quickly conceded defeat on Sunday, acknowledging Ghanaians wanted change after the government failed to shake off widespread frustration.
Bawumia also said the Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party had also won the parliamentary vote in Saturday’s election. Official results for the parliament are still being tallied.
He has promised to “reset” Ghana, usher in economic revival and renegotiate parts of the country’s $3 billion IMF accord.
With a history of democratic stability, Ghana’s two major parties, the NPP and NDC, have alternated in power equally since the return to multi-party politics in 1992.
