Election 2024: 10 key takeaways from John Mahama's first speech as President-elect

Ghana's president-elect, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a victory speech on Monday night, outlining his vision for the nation and sharing key insights into the next steps of his administration. 

Based on the results from 267 constituencies, excluding nine constituencies yet to be declared by the Electoral Commission earlier today, Mr Mahama secured 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55 percent of the valid votes cast, to defeat the current Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his closest competitor in the 12-candidate presidential election.  

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia garnered 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61% of the valid votes cast. The declaration was based on results from 267 constituencies, with nine constituencies still outstanding.  

Here are the ten major takeaways from his address delivered tonight in Accra, hours after the declaration by the Electoral Commission;  

1. A swift and collaborative transition
  
President-elect Mahama who was joined on stage by his wife Lordina and his children revealed plans to inaugurate a joint transitional team with outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

2. Acknowledgment of a decisive mandate

Mr. Mahama celebrated what he described as an “outstanding mandate” from the Ghanaian people, emphasising the overwhelming support that powered his return to leadership.  

3. Gratitude to key supporters
  
He expressed heartfelt thanks to various groups, including his family, Vice President-elect Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, his campaign team, party members, and the broader electorate, for their unwavering belief and efforts during the campaign.  

4. A historic moment for women’s leadership
  
Mr. Mahama highlighted the election of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, as a milestone for gender equality. He lauded her for breaking barriers and serving as an inspiration for women across the globe. 

5. Commitment to national unity  

The president-elect called for unity among Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation. He stressed the importance of working together to build “a Ghana that works for everybody and not just a few people.”  

6. Vision for economic transformation
 
Mr. Mahama reiterated his 24-Hour Economy Initiative, aimed at creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. He also underscored the need to address essentials like affordable housing, healthcare, food security, and clean water access.  

7. Restoring faith in governance

Acknowledging the governance challenges of recent years, Mahama committed to resetting the relationship between citizens and leaders, pledging to rebuild trust and meet the aspirations of the people.  "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, have left a star on our national psyche, which may take some time to erase. This mandate also serves as a constant reminder of what faith awaits us if we fail to meet the aspirations of our people and govern with arrogance," he stated.

Mr. Mahama added: "We intend to work together to restore the certain confidence in our politics and governance system. This election and this outcome represents an opportunity for a new beginning as we can begin to write a new chapter of our collective story, we need to cautiously set the tone for the new direction in which we'll be traveling. My brothers and sisters, I want those words; my brothers and sisters, to be a reminder to all of you, a reminder to me and to every individual who has just been elected or re-elected, that no matter what office you hold, no matter what your political affiliation is or has been in the past, the one thing we share in common is the nation Ghana, and it is that we want a much better Ghana. We want a Ghana that works for everybody and not just a few people. We want a Ghana that considers the wellbeing of all the citizens and affords them each the ability to live a life of dignity, a life of limitless opportunity, my brothers and sisters, from the Kayayoo to the Managing Director to the market women, the bankers, the teachers, security personnel, nurses, doctors, the pastors, the drivers, the tailors and seamless we are all essential to the functioning and forward motion of this country".

8. Emphasis on Ghana’s global leadership  

He reaffirmed Ghana’s status as a force on the world stage, describing the nation as a proud and resilient leader that has inspired Africa and beyond.  

9. Appeal for calm and responsible celebrations  

Amid reports of vandalism, Mr. Mahama urged Ghanaians to avoid acts of criminality and instead channel their energy into constructive efforts to rebuild the nation.  

He said: "There have been reports of acts of vandalism and some government facilities and installations, I urge you not to vent your frustration in criminal enterprise. We must channel our anger and frustration into the positive enterprise of resetting and rebuilding our nation the let us be brief in our celebration...".

10. Call to action  

Ending on a note of optimism, Mahama encouraged citizens to maintain positivity, meet high expectations with dedication, and embrace the change that has begun. “Let us be brief in our celebration, for the weight of office will be an onerous one,” he concluded.  

The address sets the tone for Mahama’s administration, emphasising collaboration, accountability, and a shared vision for a prosperous Ghana.