Africa
Ghana presidential poll: Ruling party VP loses to ex-President John Mahama
Ghana presidential poll: Ruling party VP loses to ex-President John Mahama
Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded loss to former President John Mahama in the country’s presidential election on Sunday, after failing to overcome widespread discontent over the suffering economy.
The setback in Saturday’s election signalled the end of two terms in office for the NPP under President Nana Akufo-Addo, typified by Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, soaring inflation, and debt default.
“The people of Ghana have spoken and voted for change at this time. We respect this with utmost humility,” Bawumia said at a press conference.
Bawumia said that he contacted his opponent, Mahama, the National Democratic Congress candidate and former president, to congratulate him.
With blasting horns and cheering, Mahama supporters had already begun to congregate outside the party’s campaign headquarters in Accra.
On his X account, Mahama confirmed receiving Bawumia’s congratulatory call for his “emphatic victory.”
The Vice President admitted that Mahama had won the presidency “decisively” and that his NDC party had also won the country’s parliamentary election, according to the NPP’s internal vote count.
Ghana’s economic woes were the key topic in the election, following a crisis of default and currency devaluation that led to a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout.
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Earlier, NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi told reporters that the party’s internal evaluation of results revealed Mahama won 56.3 percent of the vote, compared to Bawumia’s 41.3 percent.
“It is very clear that the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi said.
Ghana’s two main parties, the NPP and ND, have a history of democratic stability. Political parties had agents at polling stations to observe and tally initial vote counts before sending them to the election commission for official collation.
Commission Deputy Commissioner Bossman Asare previously stated that regional results had yet to arrive at the national centre, but the commission expected the official results to be announced by Tuesday.
With a history of democratic stability, Ghana’s two main parties, the NPP and NDC, have alternated in power since the restoration of multi-party politics in 1992.
Under the slogan “Break the 8” (referring to two terms in power), Bawumia hoped to lead the NPP to an unprecedented third term.
However, he struggled to overcome criticism of Akufo-Addo’s economic performance.
Although inflation fell from more than 50% to roughly 23%, and other macroeconomic indicators steadied, economic problems remained a major concern for many people.
This frustration set the stage for Mahama’s comeback challenge. Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, had previously lost two presidential elections.
Ghana presidential poll: Ruling party VP loses to ex-President John Mahama
Africa
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted “in very strong terms” allegations that it is plotting to destabilise neighbouring Niger Republic.
The Nigerien authorities alleged that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on December 13, 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.
However, Nigeria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday signed by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, refuted the allegation.
“The Government of Nigeria condoles with the Government of Niger over the unfortunate attack on the oil pipeline, but informs that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities.
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“The Government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria also expresses very serious concern and states categorically that there are no French military troops in the northern part of the country preparing to destabilize the Government of Niger.
“These allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety,” the Statement read in part.
It also noted that the relationship between Nigeria and France had always been cordial, saying it is guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
The government of Nigeria assured that it would continue to explore all peaceful means to maintain its cordial relationship with the Republic of Niger for the benefit of the people of both countries.
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
Africa
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Two men were detained in Zambia on charges of being “witchdoctors” tasked with attempting to bewitch the president.
The police stated they had arrested Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri in Lusaka.
“Their purported mission was to use charms to harm” President Hakainde Hichilema, according to the police statement issued on Friday.
Many individuals in the southern African country believe in and dread witches.
The police stated Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri were hired by Nelson Banda, MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda’s younger brother.
The MP was reportedly arrested last month in nearby Zimbabwe on robbery allegations, which he denies, but he has not been seen in public since.
He is also accused of escaping from detention in August while waiting to appear in court.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), led by z, has previously claimed that the charges are politically motivated.
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Emmanuel Banda, who has been an independent MP since 2021, previously worked with Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hichilema that same year.
The police stated the MP’s younger brother, Nelson, was “currently on the run” in their statement.
Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri face charges under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act for “possession of charms,” “professing knowledge of witchcraft,” and “cruelty to wild animals.”
The pair was found with “assorted charms,” including a live chameleon, according to the authorities.
According to the police statement, they claimed they had been given more than 2 million Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for their “mission.”
The accused are in jail and will appear in court “soon,” according to the police, although no specific date has been set for the hearing. They have not yet responded in public to the charges.
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Africa
South African man sentenced to six life terms for killing his relatives
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