Ghana’s former President Mahama wins election | U.S. & World [Video]

By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Christian Akorlie

ACCRA (Reuters) – Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has staged a political comeback by winning the West African nation’s presidential election after his rival Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat on Sunday.

The result of Ghana’s general election is another blow to a ruling party in a region where voters, hit by economic hardship, high inflation and local currency depreciation, have caused upsets as they seek changes in leadership.

Mahama, 66, who served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2016, framed Bawumia as representing a continuation of the policies that led to Ghana’s worst economic crisis in a generation.

The world’s second biggest cocoa grower, and major gold-producing nation, reached a deal with the International Monetary Fund last year for a $3 billion bailout after it defaulted on most of its international debt.

“I have, this morning, received a congratulatory call from my brother Dr. Bawumia, following my emphatic …