Ghana’s opposition leader and former president, John Dramani Mahama, has emerged victorious in the nation’s tightly contested presidential election, defeating the ruling party’s candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

Bawumia conceded defeat on Sunday ahead of the official results, acknowledging the will of the people. “I’ve just called His Excellency John Mahama to congratulate him as president-elect of the Republic of Ghana,” Bawumia announced to reporters from his residence in Accra.

Mahama confirmed the concession in a post on the X platform, describing his win as “emphatic.”

Across the nation, jubilant supporters of Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) took to the streets in celebration, particularly in Accra and other key cities.

The election took place against the backdrop of Ghana’s worst cost of living crisis in decades, testing the resilience of the country’s democracy in a region marred by political instability and extremist threats.

Bawumia, representing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), campaigned to continue the leadership of outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo but faced significant criticism over the government’s handling of the economic crisis. Rising inflation, currency depreciation, and public debt have fueled widespread dissatisfaction, making the election a referendum on the ruling party’s governance.

Mahama, 65, who previously served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017, campaigned on promises to “reset” the nation. His message resonated with young voters, many of whom sought a change in leadership to address the economic turmoil.

“I think it has to do with the economy, which is largely a bread-and-butter issue for every Ghanaian,” said Alidu. He also highlighted that Mahama’s campaign stood out for its focus on transparent governance and connecting with citizens during challenging times.