Path to Success: John Mahama’s Path to Becoming President of Ghana

John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s newly elected president, has embarked on an extraordinary journey back to the nation’s highest office. After losing the president in 2016, Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, has returned to power with a resounding 56.55% of the vote in the December 2024 election. With this momentous win, he becomes the first former president to be re-elected under Ghana’s Fourth Republic. 

Voters who were extremely worried about Ghana’s economic problems, such as its high debt levels and inflation, responded favorably to Mahama’s campaign. Significant infrastructure development occurred under his 2012–2017 presidency, but there were also difficulties, including economic instability and accusations of corruption, which he now seeks to resolve. In a nation still recuperating from a financial crisis and an IMF bailout, Mahama’s message of “rescue and renewal” resonated when he returned with pledges to restore Ghana’s economy and solve urgent social issues. 

The win also represents a larger trend in world politics, as appeals for experienced governance are causing seasoned politicians to make significant comebacks. This could be considered a “season of return,” where voters have newfound faith in leaders who have demonstrated their ability to handle difficult situations, as demonstrated by the cases of Mahama in Ghana, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil and Donald Trump in US.

Mahama is expected to steer Ghana toward social advancement and economic stability as he gets ready to assume office in January 2025, which will be a pivotal moment in his political career.