It is a major win for democracy in Africa as Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawwumia conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent, former President John Dramani Mahama.
The Ghanaian general election held on Saturday, and by Sunday morning, the incumbent Vice President called to congratulate the projected winner even as collation of votes was underway.
The most recent such gesture was in 2015 when incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conceded defeat to his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Commenting on the outcome of the Ghanaian election last night, founder of YIAGA Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo attributed the gesture by Dr. Bawumia to the credible process of the Ghanaian elections, especially the counting and collation processes that were adjudged as transparent.
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He enjoined other African election management bodies to emulate the Ghanaian model.
Mr. Itodo also called on the politicians in particular, to moderate their attitude towards partisan politics, especially the electoral process, which he said must not be taken as a do-or-die contest that must be won at all cost.
He called for electoral reforms that will lead to cost-cutting and to minimise fractious electoral outcomes that end up courts.
