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The first official results have been released from Saturday’s presidential election in Ghana and they look set to confirm the victory of opposition candidate, former President John Mahama.<\/p>\n
With results in from 12 of the country’s 16 regions, Mahama has a strong lead of 61% against 38% for Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia.<\/p>\n
The vice-president has already accepted defeat and congratulated Mahama on his victory on Sunday but there had been some frustration that it was taking so long to announce the official results.<\/p>\n
President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after reaching the official limit of two terms in office.<\/p>\n
This election comes amid the worst economic crisis in a generation.<\/p>\n
Unemployment, the cost of living and concerns over the environmental impact of illegal gold mining, known as “galmasey”, were among the key issues.<\/p>\n
With many Ghanaians desperate for a change, Mahama won four regions – Bono, Ahafo, Western, and Central – which the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) had won in 2020.<\/p>\n
However, the results from the Ashanti region, seen as a stronghold of the NPP, have not yet been announced.<\/p>\n
Mahama, 65, previously led Ghana from 2012 until 2017, when he was replaced by Akufo-Addo. Mahama also lost the 2020 election so this victory represents a stunning comeback.<\/p>\n
Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP have alternated in power since the return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992.<\/p>\n
No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in power – a trend that looks set to continue.<\/p>\n
Mahama’s previous time in office was marred by an ailing economy, frequent power-cuts and corruption scandals.<\/p>\n
However, Ghanaians hope it will be different this time round.<\/p>\n
During the campaign, Mahama promised to transform Ghana into a “24-hour economy”.<\/p>\n
The new president will be sworn in on 7 January 2025.<\/p>\n