Presidents of African countries have started sending their congratulatory messages to the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
President Akufo-Addo of the NPP polled 6,730,587, representing 51.303%, to beat former President John Mahama of the NDC, who garnered 6,213,182, representing 47.359% in the eighth election of the Fourth Republic.
The declaration on Wednesday evening by the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, who is the Returning Officer of the presidential election, paved the way for President Akufo-Addo to start a second term mandate on January 7, 2021.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, in a tweet, congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his re-election for a second term in office.
“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I wish President Akufo-Addo a successful new tenure, and peace and stability in his country, as well as improved relations between our countries,” parts of the tweet read.
President Buhari also commended the people of Ghana on the successful conclusion of the presidential and parliamentary elections; adding that it was further proof that constitutional democracy had come to stay in West Africa.
He further tweeted that Nigeria and Ghana shared close historical and cultural ties, and “I look forward to working with President Akufo-Addo to realize our shared goals of peace, security and prosperity for our citizens and the entire ECOWAS community.”
President Alhassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, who is a personal friend of the Ghanaian leader, also in a tweet, congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his successful re-election.
“I look forward to working with him in the same warm spirit which has marked the historic and fraternal relations between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana for so many years.
President Akufo-Addo won the December 7 presidential election with 51.59 per cent of the total votes, with international bodies commending the process which they observed to be free and fair.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda also sent in his congratulatory message to the President of Ghana.
He said on Twitter, “Congratulations to my brother and friend @NAkufoAddo on your re-election. It is a testament to the trust the people of Ghana have placed in you. We look forward to continued friendship between our two nations and collaboration towards the prosperity of our people.”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri