The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has overwhelmingly elected former President John Dramani Mahama to lead the party in the 2024 presidential election.
Mahama, 64, secured 297,603 votes, representing 98.9% of votes cast, while his main challenger and a former Kumasi mayor Kojo Bonsu got 3,181, or 1.1 per cent.
Mahama came to power in July 2012, replacing John Atta Mills when he died unexpectedly and won the election later that year
He, however, lost a second and final term in 2016 to incumbent President, Nana Akufo-Addo.
Mr Mahama’s second attempt in 2020 also ended in defeat to President Akufo-Addo who is in his second and final term and is expected to hand over in January 2025 to a new president.
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Mahama said shortly after being declared the winner on Sunday morning by the Electoral Commission, “I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party.”
“Let’s keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC: leading Ghana out of the current abyss in which we find our country.”
Even before the EC officially confirmed the former President’s victory, Mr Kojo Bonsu, congratulated Mr Mahama for winning the party’s presidential contest.
In a Facebook post, the former Kumasi Mayor disclosed that he had called Mr Mahama to congratulate him on his victory.
“I have called H.E. John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I have indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election, I will continue to serve the NDC party,” he said.
Mr Bonsu became the sole challenger to former President Mahama following the abrupt withdrawal of former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor from the race on Friday.
Dr Duffuor accused the party’s leadership of breaching the agreement and assurance given to the three presidential aspirants to resolve the issues raised about irregularities in the party’s voter register before Saturday’s polls.
The 2024 presidential and parliamentary election is expected to be keenly contested in the face of the worsening economic situation in the country, which has driven up the cost of living and caused the value of the cedi to tumble and the government’s failure to timely secure a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms but the governing NPP, which is yet to pick a presidential candidate is confident of winning the 2024.
Mr Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary, congratulated all the contestants in both the presidential and parliamentary primaries and the delegates for their efforts at ensuring successful and peaceful elections.
He also praised the Electoral Commission for its role in making the elections fair and transparent.
He gave the assurance that all stakeholders of the party will work towards a resounding victory in the 2024 General Election to unseat the ruling New Patriotic Party, after its eight-year rule.
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketsia, the Chairman of the Party, for his part, praised the Ghana Police Service for doing an excellent job at providing security.
