Ghana has decided and Nana Akufo-Addo is the popular choice of the citizenry. Incumbent president, John Mahama has conceded defeat and has even called to congratulate the president-elect. By far, the election was peaceful and there are clear indications that there will be a smooth transition of power

Here are our winners and losers from the election:

WINNERS

President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo: The 72 year old member of the National Patriotic Party made his victory on his third attempt to rule Ghana. In 2008, he lost the election to John Atta Mills and in 2012, to President John Mahama.

Earning nearly 54 percent of the total votes cast, Nana Akufo-Addo’s win has led to widespread celebration across the country. Like our own President Buhari, Akufo-Addo’s manifesto is based on change and this he hopes to achieve through job creation.

The British-trained lawyer served as Foreign Minister in Ghana for five years and Member of Parliament for three terms.

Ghana’s democracy and electoral process: The elections in Ghana were remarkably peaceful as no violence was recorded in any parts. With about 70 percent turnout, there were reports of calmness at most of the polling stations. Though, the entire voting process was slow and the final announcement of the winner seemingly took forever, the possibilities of rigging did not arise.

A member of the National Democratic Institute who monitored the election said, “Elections have been close, but they have always been largely peaceful, fair and transparent. Ghana has set the gold standard for democracy in West Africa“.

Nana Agyeman-Rawlings: She lost in the election, no doubt but she stands as a winner for being the first woman to ever contest for the presidential position in Ghana’s history.

The wife of former president, Jerry Rawlings earned the title, “Ghana’s Hillary Clinton” for this laudable move and her tenacity through the campaign.

LOSERS

President John Mahama: For almost running the country aground, for his failure to boost Ghana’s economy, for the downward spiral the economy took during his tenure and his failure to convince his people to keep him as president to fix the situation.

The country faces a currency crisis, prices of the resources (gold, cocoa beans, oil) that are the mainstay of the economy have dropped and the country has had to cope with days of power outage.

President Mahama lost the trust and confidence of the populace and admitted in his concession speech that he will “forever live with the humiliation of being the first one-term president in Ghana’s First Republic“.

Incumbents in Africa: Africans are increasingly resisting incumbent presidents and we saw this wave first in Nigeria, then in Gambia and now, Ghana. A president who fails to perform will be kicked out by resolute voters.

This spate of political happenings sends a strong message to African leaders to do better, as citizens however tossed around by the incapacity of their leaders, still hold the power.