Ghana elects Mahama in presidential vote

Ghana voted in a presidential and parliamentary election amid hopes for an economic revival after the worst financial crisis in a generation, which led to a major debt default in the West African nation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down next month after serving the two terms allowed by the constitution in Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer and a significant gold miner.

Twelve candidates are vying to succeed him, but the race is seen as primarily between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, chosen successor of Akufo-Addo's New Patriotic Party, and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Both candidates said voting was generally calm and peaceful.

Jubilant NDC supporters took to the streets of Accra's historic Jamestown, chanting, banging pans and blaring horns after results from their polling stations showed the party in a comfortable lead.

Supporters of John Dramani Mahama celebrated outside his office in Accra after the former president won Ghana's presidential election.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat, saying internal data showed Mahama had won decisively. Bawumia added that Mahama's National Democratic Congress also secured victory in the parliamentary vote.

The vice president made the announcement before official results were released, aiming to ease tensions following reports of scuffles at some local constituency centers where votes were still being tallied.

Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has accepted defeat in the election and congratulated the opposition candidate, former President John Mahama, on his victory.

The elections come amid the country's worst economic crisis in a generation, which saw the cost of basic goods shoot up, while young people struggled to get jobs and the country was unable to repay its debts.