President Nana Akufo-Addo and British High Commissioner to Ghana Mr Iain Walker shaking hands

World leaders and governments across the globe have congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his re-election in the just ended general election for a second four-year term in office.

Ignoring the discredited claim by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the election was rigged, Governments of Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Rwanda and Togo were among the tall list of global power brokers who wished President Akufo-Addo a successful new tenure following his victory in the polls.

Nigerian President Mahamadu Buhari in a series of tweets congratulated his Ghanaian counterpart for emerging victorious in the fiercely contested election. 

“I congratulate President Akufo-Addo on his re-election for a second term in office. I also commend the people of Ghana on the successful conclusion of the presidential and parliamentary elections – further proof that constitutional democracy has come to stay in West Africa”, President Buhari stated.

He said he was looking forward to working with President Akufo-Addo “to realise our shared goals of peace, security and prosperity for our citizens and for the entire ECOWAS community.

“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 two countries.

 “Nigeria and Ghana share close historical and cultural ties and I look forward to working with President Akufo-Addo to realise our shared goals of peace, security and prosperity for our citizens and for the entire ECOWAS community”.

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa, declared President Akufo-Addo as the President-elect on Wednesday, 9 December in this year’s general election.

Out of the 13,119,460 total valid votes cast, incumbent President Akufo-Addo, of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), polled 6,730,587 votes, representing 51.302 per cent.

His closest contender, the presidential candidate of the main National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, polled 6,213,182 representing 47.359 per cent.

However, Mr Mahama and the NDC have rejected the result of the election, accusing the EC of rigging the polls for the incumbent.

Former President Mahama described the results of the polls as “fictionalised”, claiming the NDC has the pink sheets to prove his allegations.

Congratulations from world leaders

The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, has lauded Ghana on her successful conduct of the 2020 general elections on Monday.

She also congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his re-election.

The United States Embassy in Ghana, via its official Facebook page, stated that, “The elections were conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, while protecting the wellbeing of Ghanaians during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“The United States expects that any electoral disputes would be resolved through established legal channels, in keeping with Ghana’s hard-earned reputation as a shining example of democracy in the region and across the world.

“The U.S. government stands ready to continue our strong partnership with the government and people of Ghana to advance our shared prosperity”, the US Ambassador gave assurance.

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Iain Walker, has congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his electoral victory in the December 7 polls and urged that any disputes stemming from the polls be settled through legal means.

In a tweet, Mr Walker said, “I congratulate President-elect @NAkufoAddo on his re-election, @JDMahama for his campaign & all the Ghanaian people for building on your proud reputation for inclusion, peace & tolerance. We await final parliamentary results & encourage resolution of any disputes through legal means”.

President of Ivory Coast Mr Alassane Ouattara has also congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his re-election in the polls.

Like the Nigerian President, Mr Ouattara said he was looking forward to working with their Ghanaian leader for the mutual benefit of both countries.

“My warmest congratulations and best wishes to my brother Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his re-election as President of the Republic of Ghana. I look forward to working with him in the same warm spirit which has marked the historic and fraternal relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana for so many years,” Mr Ouatarra said in a Facebook post.

Presidents Paul Kagame and Nana Akufo-Addo

Similarly, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his re-election.

Mr Kagame, in a tweet, said Nana Akufo-Addo’s victory is a testament to the trust the people of Ghana have placed in him.

“Congratulations to my brother and friend President @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,” he tweeted.