Members of the National Democratic Congress overwhelmingly approved on Saturday to maintain former President John Mahama as party leader until the 2024 election.
Ghana is one of Africa’s most stable democracies, and Mahama will be standing for president for the third time. He lost elections against President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.
The next presidential election is expected to be tight. Protests have erupted as prices increase and the cedi currency falls as a result of the worst economic crisis in a generation. No party has ever won more than two terms in a row.
According to early Sunday election commission statistics, Mahama, 64, earned 297,603 votes, or 99.1% of the total.
“I am humbled by the party’s overwhelming vote of confidence in me,” Mahama said shortly after the announcement. Simply said, “Let us keep our collective sights firmly fixed on the NDC’s supreme goal: leading Ghana out of the current abyss in which we find ourselves.”
When John Atta Mills died unexpectedly in July 2012, his vice president, John Mahama, became president. He was elected president later that year. He has been pushing for a chance to serve a second and final term since 2016.
The ruling party will choose its candidate later this year. Ghana has applied to the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion loan to help stabilize its economy. On Friday, statements from the organization’s official creditors boosted hopes for swift loan approval.
