Celebrations Break Out In Ghana As Opposition Leader, Nana Akufo-Addo Is Declared Winner!

Ghana’s opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo has been declared the winner of Wednesday’s tightly contested presidential election.

President John Mahama called Mr Akufo-Addo to admit defeat, a spokesman for his party said, as the Electoral Commission announced the result.

Mr Akufo-Addo has promised free high-school education and more factories but critics have questioned the viability of his ambitions.

Celebrations have broken out in the capital, Accra.

Ghana has been a multi-party democracy since the end of military rule in 1992 and this result is seen as reinforcing its reputation for the peaceful transfer of power between administrations.

Mr Akufo-Addo, from the New Patriotic Party, won the election on his third attempt to reach the presidency, after a campaign dominated by the country’s faltering economy.

“I make this solemn pledge to you tonight: I will not let you down,” he told a jubilant crowd in front of his residence.

“I will do all in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations.”

Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) declared Mr Akufo-Addo the winner, with 53.85% of the votes, while Mr Mahama took 44.40%. Turnout was at 68.62%.

The official declaration of 2016 Presidential Election results: pic.twitter.com/6Uwxfaz0xS

— Electoral Commission Of Ghana (@ECGhanaOfficial) December 9, 2016

A few minutes ago, I received a call from President @JDMahama congratulating me on winning the 2016 Presidential Election. #ChangeHasCome

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) December 9, 2016

I make this solemn pledge to the good people of Ghana; I will not let you down. #VictorySpeech

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) December 9, 2016