Former President John Dramani Mahama exhibited sportsmanship at the just-ended National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries that took place on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The party elected the former President as flagbearer to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
Mr Mahama secured 297,603 of the votes cast, representing 98.9% to beat his only contender, former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, who garnered 1,381 votes, representing 1.1%.
Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor did not contest as he withdrew from the race due to alleged inaccuracies with the party’s voter register.
For many, Mr Mahama’s win comes as no surprise as he was tipped to win, however his comment after was not expected.
Aside from thanking the delegates for the support, he extended his appreciation to his only competitor, Kojo Bonsu and former contender, Dr Duffuor.
He said “I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobea who pulled out to support me in this contest.”
According to him, “their taking part in this primary has cemented our party’s enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in the country.”
Below is his full statement…
Fellow Akatamansonians, and the good people of Ghana.
A while ago, the results of the 2024 presidential primaries was officially declared.
I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party.
I want to thank God for bringing the NDC this victory. Traversing the country for all these days, weeks and months without any fatalities can only be by God’s special grace.
My profound gratitude goes to the delegates of our party for their warm welcome, active engagement, and participation during my tour.
In your usual astute manner, you turned up in your numbers, across the country, to vote in our party’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobea who pulled out to support me in this contest. Their taking part in this primary has cemented our party’s enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in the country.
Let us disagree to agree, but let us keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC leading Ghana out of the current abyss the country is in.
I also ask for cooperation among all elected parliamentary candidates and their respective aspirants and supporters in the constituencies. Our party is the winner because there are no individual winners and losers in this intra-party contest.
I want to thank my campaign and operational teams for keeping their focus and delivering a clean campaign.
I thank our donors and financiers for your support; the media for propagating our message and all our religious and traditional leaders who prayed on our behalf for the peace and success we have achieved today.
On Monday, at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, I will join a teeming number of the rank and file of the NDC and Ghanaians in general, to deliver my formal acceptance speech.