Electoral Commission declares Nana Akufo Addo as president elect of Ghana

The New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akufo Addo has been declared at the President- elect of Ghana.

This declaration was made after John Mahama placed a call to congratulate Akufo Addo.

Nana Addo polled over 5, 716,026 million votes to beat the incumbent president John Dramani Mahama who had over 4, 713,277 million votes.

Mr Akufo-Addo of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) beat incumbent John Mahama and five other candidates to be lucky in his third try at the presidency.

Out of 10,781609 total valid votes cast, Mr Akufo-Addo, according to the EC polled 5,716,026 (53.85%) while his arch-rival Mr Mahama polled 4,713,277 (44.40%).

The other candidates had the following votes:

Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom (Progressive People’s Party) – … 105,681

Dr Edward Mahama (People’s National Convention) – … 22,214

Ivor Greenstreet (Convetion People’s Party) – … 25,398

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (National Democratic Party) – … 16,878

Jacob Osei Yeboah (Independent) – … 15,889

Total number of votes cast 10,781,609

Total rejected ballots 166,248 (1.4%)

Total turnout was 68.62%. The EC had anticipated 80% turnout a day to the polls.

The results announced by the EC excludes figures from four constituencies: Afram Plains North, Upper West Akyem, Tuna-Sawla-Kalba, Tamale Central.

Nana Addo’s family jubilates

According to the EC chairperson Nana Addo’s votes represent 53…%

” On the basis of the foregoing figures to and  the power vested as the chairperson of the electoral commission and the returning officer of the presidential elections It is my duty and privilege to declare Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo as the president elect of the republic of Ghana.” Charlotte Osei told the country.

Journalists at the EC waiting for the declaration

This is Nana Addo’s third attempt at the presidency.

The 72 year old astute lawyer’s message of running a corruption free government,  providing jobs for the youth through his “One District, One factory” promise among others stuck with voters who generally wanted change.

Jubilation in Nana Addo’s house

The resounding victory is an indication that Nana Addo has the support of majority of Ghanaians.

It’s been a hectic two days  for journalists and indeed the whole country. The situation became more tensed after the NPP announced hours after voting ended that they had won the election per their calculation of the results on the pink sheets.

This was followed with another press conference by the party’s youth organiser Sammy Awuku to put pressure on the EC to go ahead and declare the results.

The NDC’s Ofosu Ampofo also held a press conference to assure the NDC supporters that they are in a comfortable lead.

The EC then came out to say they are investigating claims of over voting.

This  set the tone for series of press conferences from the NPP, NDC, EC, Election Observers, The National Peace Council, Nana Akufo Addo and President Mahama.

After the declaration the capital city Accra went into a jubilant mood.