Ghana's Mahama wins election

2012-12-10 4

Ghanaians await the result of the presidential election.

After a ballot fraught with delays, the electoral authorities said the incumbent leader had won a new term.

SOUNDBITE: KWADWO AFARI-GYAN, ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, SAYING (English):

"I declare John Dramani Mahama President elect, thank you."

Mahama took 50.7 percent of votes cast.

And for his supporters, news of the victory meant time for celebration.

But the election was not without its problems.

Earlier on Sunday (December 9) opposition supporters rallied in the capital, claiming polls were rigged by electoral workers.

The ballot is seen as a test for Ghana in a region marred by instability.

In 2008, the country was pushed to the brink of chaos as the opposition lost an election by less then 1 percent.