Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has expressed profound gratitude to delegates of the party for voting “massively” for him in the just-ended primaries.

During his acceptance speech delivered at the University of Development Studies (UDS), in Tamale on May 15, 2023, he said his victory is an indication that delegates chose experience over experiment.

“Thank you for your votes of confidence and for your unshaken conviction that I am the most suitable person with the experience and vision to lead our party the NDC to victory in 2024.

“You have chosen experience with vision over experiment and I'm confident that in December 2024 , Ghanaians will make that choice that puts us back on the path of building the Ghana we want together,” he said.

Mr Dramani Mahama on Sunday, May 14, 2024, was declared flagbearer of the NDC after the party held its much anticipated presidential and parliamentary primaries across the country.

He contested with former Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Kojo Bonsu after two other contenders, Dr Kwabena Duffuor and Ernest Kwaku Kobeah pulled out of the race.

At the end of the elections, Mr Mahama had garnered 98.9% of the total votes while Kojo Bonsu won only 1.1% of the votes.

While thanking party members for their overwhelming support during the primaries, the leader of the party pledged to lead the NDC to “a resounding victory come December 2024,” and further entreated party members to continue to support him until victory is attained.

“To you the kingmakers of the NDC, I say thank you for electing me with a resounding 297, 306 which constitutes 98.9% of the total valid votes cast. This margin of victory is deafening and resounding and emphatic, and it is indicative of the unwavering singular intent of the NDC to win the 2024 elections.

He further preached unity among party members, entreating them to work together for the good of the party and the country in general.

“From today, right here, in the hall of the UDS, I declare that the internal competition for the flagbearership position is over. We must win the [2024] election to enable us to build the Ghana we want together.”

In order to achieve victory, he said the party needs to “flip the coin from competition to cooperation.”

“We need cooperation to build a better Ghana. I am, therefore, calling for cooperation among all elected candidates and aspirants, he said.