President-elect of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has issued a plea to supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to exercise restraint in the wake of the party’s victory in the 2024 general elections. This call to action comes in response to reports of looting, vandalism, and destruction of state property allegedly carried out by party supporters in various parts of the country.
As of now, 89 suspects have been apprehended by the Ghana Police Service for their involvement in various offenses, with 40 individuals directly linked to acts of destruction. In his victory speech delivered on Monday, 9th December, shortly after the Electoral Commission (EC) officially declared the election results, Mahama urged his supporters to celebrate responsibly in order to prevent unnecessary harm or damage.
Mahama stressed the importance of not allowing frustration to manifest in criminal activities, stating, “We must channel our anger and frustration into positive enterprise of resetting and rebuilding our nation. Let us be brief in our celebration, for the weight of office will be an onerous one.”
Additionally, he underscored the significance of meeting the expectations of Ghanaians who voted for his return to leadership. In his address, Mahama also criticized the governance of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, remarking, “These eight years have witnessed some of the darkest periods of our governance. The crisis our beloved country has been through these last several years has left a scar on our national psyche, which may take some time to erase.”
Furthermore, Mahama assured all Ghanaians of the NDC’s dedication to working in their best interests. The Electoral Commission, under the leadership of Chairperson Jean Mensa, officially declared Mahama as the winner of the 2024 election with a commanding 56.55% of the votes. With results from 267 out of the 276 constituencies across the 16 regions, Mahama secured 6,328,397 votes, surpassing Dr. Bawumia’s 4,657,304 votes (41.61%).
The inauguration of President-elect John Mahama is scheduled to take place on 7th January 2025. As Ghana prepares for a new chapter under his leadership, it is crucial for all citizens to uphold peace, unity, and progress for the nation’s development.
