Ghana's Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia was elected by the country's ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) party on Saturday as its candidate for the 2024 presidential ballot, according to results from primaries.
According to the final results, at least 61.4% of the votes were for Bawumia, while his main opponent businessman Kennedy Agyapong won 37.4%.
"I believe the party has been fair and transparent. That is the only thing I've always been preaching. My grassroots have spoken, and therefore I accept the results in good faith," Agyapong said after the result.
Apart from other candidates running for the top job, the vice president will also compete with opposition National Democratic Congress candidate Mahama.
As the first Muslim candidate to lead a party dominated by mostly Christian southerners, he has claimed himself to bridge some of Ghana's regional divisions.
"It's a victory for the rank and file of our great party, and particularly the grass root members. I am humbled and overwhelmed. We know that the NPP is the only party that can transform Ghana. The NPP will enter 2024 united and energized," he said in a speech after the results.
Ghana has been governed by Akufo-Addo, who is to step down after serving the two terms allowed by the constitution. Opposition candidate Mahama lost to Akufo-Addo in the 2016 and 2020 elections.