The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate in the 2024 elections Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has opened up about his decision to concede defeat before the Electoral Commission (EC) officially declared John Dramani Mahama the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate as President-elect.
Speaking candidly during a post-election engagement, Dr. Bawumia justified the early concession, citing the need to preserve peace, uphold democracy, and protect Ghana’s economic stability.
Decisive Data and Early Decision
According to the defeated candidate, his campaign team had received clear results from their internal collation of polling station data by 2-3 a.m. on election night, indicating a decisive loss.
“It was evident we were not going to win this election. The question then was whether to wait for the EC to finalize its processes or concede immediately,” he said.
After deliberating with his team, he chose to wait until 9 a.m. on Sunday to announce the concession publicly. This timing was deliberate, as it allowed the country to wake up to the news in a calm manner.
Preserving Peace and Ensuring Stability
The candidate emphasized that his decision was guided by a desire to maintain peace and prevent potential violence. “I could see the potential for incidents of violence if we delayed. By conceding, tensions were diffused, and the transition process was smooth. This was critical for our nation’s stability,” he stated.
He acknowledged that democracy requires respecting the will of the people, even when the outcome is unfavorable. “Democracy is about respecting the will of the people. The voters expressed their preference, and we had to accept it. That’s the essence of democracy,” he added.
Economic Implications
Highlighting Ghana’s fragile economic recovery, the candidate explained that his decision was also motivated by concerns over investor confidence. “This is a critical time for our economy. Any instability would have deterred investors and undermined the progress we’ve made since the pandemic. It takes years to restore confidence once it’s lost,” he said.
A Lesson in Leadership
The candidate’s concession speech was widely praised for its statesmanship and commitment to Ghana’s democratic values. Reflecting on his decision, he expressed hope that it served as a reminder of the importance of respecting electoral outcomes and prioritizing national unity over partisan interests.
“It was very simple for me. The people spoke, and we had to listen. This was about Ghana, not me or my party. It’s a decision I stand by, and I believe it was the right thing to do,” he concluded.
His early concession is seen as a significant step in solidifying Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy and stability in the region.
source : www.kumasimail.com
