The National Democratic Congress, Ghana’s largest opposition party, decisively decided on Saturday to keep former president John Mahama as its leader for the 2024 presidential race.
Mahama will run for president of Ghana, one of the most stable democracies in Africa, for the third time. In 2016 and 2020, he came in second place to President Nana Akufo-Addo.
It is anticipated that the forthcoming presidential election will be hotly contested. The country is experiencing the greatest economic crisis in a generation, which has increased living expenses and caused the cedi currency to plummet, inciting protests. No party has ever won more than two terms in a row.
“I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party,” Mahama said shortly after the declaration. “Let’s keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC: leading Ghana out of the current abyss in which we find our country.”
When John Atta Mills unexpectedly passed away in July 2012, Mahama, the vice president at the time, took over as president. Later on in that year, he won the election. Since 2016, he has been looking for the chance to run for a second and final term.
Later this year, the ruling party is expected to choose its nominee.
To support its shattered economy, Ghana is asking the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion loan. Friday’s financial assurances from its formal creditors increased anticipation that the loan would be approved quickly.