Ghana Election: Provisional Results Show John Mahama in the Lead as Ghana Awaits Final Election Outcome

Provisional results from Ghana’s 2024 general election indicate a strong lead for former President John Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) as votes continue to be collated across the country. With nearly 18.8 million Ghanaians registered to vote, the elections are closely watched as the nation prepares to welcome a new president after Nana Akufo-Addo’s two-term tenure.

The NDC has called for restraint among its supporters, urging them not to jubilate prematurely. Party leaders emphasized the importance of vigilance during the collation process to ensure the integrity of the final results.

Mahama, who is vying for a return to the presidency, has campaigned on promises of an “urgent reset” to address Ghana’s economic challenges. His main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), hopes to become Ghana’s first Muslim president but faces criticism over the economic crisis that unfolded during his tenure.

While the voting process was largely peaceful, an isolated incident in the northern town of Nyankpala marred the otherwise orderly exercise. A fatal shooting occurred at a polling station where an opposition MP candidate attempted to file a complaint but was reportedly blocked by ruling party supporters. Police have arrested four individuals, and soldiers were deployed to restore calm.

Elsewhere in the country, voting proceeded smoothly, with some citizens queuing before dawn to cast their ballots. Polling centers closed at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, and counting began shortly after that. The Electoral Commission is expected to announce certified results by Tuesday, December 10.

In addition to Mahama and Bawumia, other candidates, such as businessman Nana Kwame Bediako and former NPP minister Alan Kyerematen, are also vying for the presidency. However, provisional results indicate that the race remains a two-horse contest between the NDC and NPP, consistent with Ghana’s electoral history since the return of multiparty democracy in 1992.

Economic issues dominated the campaign, with unemployment, inflation, and poverty high on voters’ minds. Inflation peaked at 54.1% in 2022, pushing many Ghanaians into poverty. Both leading candidates have promised solutions to these challenges, but voter discontent with current living standards may have tipped the scales in favor of Mahama.

With no party ever winning more than two consecutive terms in Ghana’s history, the NDC hopes to capitalize on this trend and reclaim power. To avoid a runoff, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote in the first round. Should no candidate achieve this threshold, a second-round vote will take place later in December.

As Ghana awaits the final results, the focus remains on the collation process and the Electoral Commission’s announcement. Observers have lauded the country’s democratic processes, and this election is expected to further cement Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of stability in West Africa.

Stay tuned for more updates as the results are finalized.