The Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said that Ghanaians have "decisively" voted for change and he "respects" the decision with "all humility."

In a concession speech this morning ahead of official announcement by the EC, Dr. Bawumia said, data collated by the NPP indicated that former President Mahama has been elected President, and he has since called to congratulate him.

"From our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President H.E. John Dramani Mahama has won the Presidential election decisively. The NDC has also won the parliamentary election even though we await final collation of a number of seats. I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome," Dr. Bawumia said.

Dr. Bawumia said he made the concession speech ahead of official declaration to ''avoid further tension, and preserve the peace of the country."

"It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana. These are our most important assets. Ghana is more important than our individual political ambitions and we must always put Ghana first."

Below is the full address:

REMARKS BY DR. MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA. 8TH DECEMBER 2024

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,

Following yesterday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, Ghanaians at home and abroad have been sitting on tenterhooks awaiting the outcome of the election.

Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President H.E. John Dramani Mahama has won the Presidential election decisively. The NDC has also won the parliamentary election even though we await final collation of a number of seats. I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome.

I have since called H.E. H.E John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him  as President-elect of the Republic of Ghana.

I said during the signing of the Peace Pact that I was sure of two things. Ghana will win and peace will reign. The people of Ghana have spoken. The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect that decision with all humility. I thank God Almighty for how far he has brought me and I submit to His will

I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country. It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana. These are our most important assets. Ghana is more important than our individual political ambitions and we must always put Ghana first. 

 While this was not our desired outcome, I say this is part of the democratic process. We put our best foot forward in the contest, explaining our policies and programmes. However, it is sometimes the case that the voter would have other ideas. I am proud of the efforts of our campaign team.

I assure H.E. John Dramani Mahama of my full support in the transition process. As committed democrats, we pledge to ensure that we have a very smooth transition so that the business of government will continue seamlessly. The NPP would offer the needed support to the new government in a very responsible way.  

Ladies and gentlemen, we have conceded defeat like any consummate Democrat would do. But we have not abandoned the fight to transform Ghana and expand opportunities to all sections of Ghanaian society. We will not be a disruptive opposition, even though we would subject government actions and policies to strict scrutiny in the interest of our beloved nation. Our MPs, I am very convinced, will do a thorough job to advance our democracy and ensure that the citizenry gets the best out of the democratic dispensation.

To the rank and file of the New patriotic party, I know the feeling hurts, given that this is not the result you worked for.  I know you would feel there is darkness ahead. That is natural, especially when, in all sincerity,  you gave the assignment your all. But I assure you that we will regroup and come back even stronger. We will take stock of events and pick lessons to guide us, going forward. In the interim, I urge you all to look into the future with optimism and hope. We may have lost the battle but not the war!

Let me also use the occasion to congratulate all MPs elect, with special emphasis on those from the NPP side. I would like to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, for his support and guidance over the years. I extend sincere thanks to the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akuffo Addo, for her support and wise counsel throughout my tenure as Vice President, and during the 2024 electioneering campaign. I would like to thank my wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia who has gone over and above the call of duty in her support for me. My thanks also go to my children, brothers and sisters and the entire Bawumia family for their support. I also thank my running mate, Mathew Opoku Prempeh and his wife Alma for their very strong support in this campaign. I am eternally grateful to our revered traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the generality of Ghanaians for their support. I thank former President Kufuor, the council of elders, executives, and rank and file of the NPP for their solid support

To all Ghanaians who voted for me and the NPP to implement our proposed bold solutions, I thank you for the confidence you reposed in us. To all Ghanaians who didn’t vote for me and the NPP in this particular election, I thank you for considering my proposals even though you exercised your right to choose by settling on the eventual winner.



Let me also thank the Electoral Commission for overseeing yet another transparent and fair election in Ghana. I also thank the security services for their role in maintaining the peace. 

Ghana has won. Thank you very much, and may God bless our homeland Ghana.