Former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has explained that his early concession in the 2024 presidential election was made in the supreme interest of Ghana’s democracy and peace.
Speaking on Monday, 27 January, during a discourse on democracy, governance, and political integrity in Nigeria, Dr Bawumia reflected on the events that led to his decision, highlighting the importance of maintaining national stability during electoral processes.
In his address, Dr Bawumia revealed that he had anticipated the electoral results would take between 48 to 72 hours to be officially declared by the Electoral Commission.
Aware of the rising tension and the potential for violence if the announcement was prolonged, he decided to act swiftly.
“I was cognisant of the tension and potential violence that could result if there was a long-drawn-out process of announcing the results. Indeed, the tension had begun to mount,” he said.
Acknowledging the tense environment that could have led to unrest, Dr. Bawumia explained that his decision to concede the election early was a deliberate effort to avert unnecessary conflict.
The former President’s concession was part of his broader commitment to preserving the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.
Dr. Bawumia explained that his prompt decision was aimed not only at reducing the risk of violence but also at demonstrating political maturity and respect for the democratic system.
He emphasized that his actions reflected his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power, which is vital for the long-term stability of any democracy.
In his remarks, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the importance of strong political integrity in ensuring effective and transparent governance.
His concession, he noted, was intended to protect the democratic principles Ghana has long upheld, assuring citizens that the electoral process would remain untainted by unnecessary delays or uncertainty.