Nana Kwame Bediako, the leader of the New Force and a presidential candidate in Ghana’s 2024 general elections, has set the record straight regarding rumors that he did not vote for himself. In an Accra press conference on December 23, 2024, he labeled these claims as baseless, emphasizing his dedication to transparency and Ghana’s democratic principles.
The controversy stemmed from reports highlighting an anomaly at his voting location, where social media and viral videos suggested he might have voted for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Bediako clarified that his action of counting the candidates on the ballot was misinterpreted, stating, “While counting the names, someone misconstrued it as me voting for another candidate.”
He further elaborated, “The 276-tour that I did, with all the challenges, the kind of food, water, and cold I endured, do Ghanaians believe I went ahead and voted for someone else?” He firmly denied the allegations, asserting, “Let me clear it once and for all: I voted for myself, my wife voted for me, and so did my family.”
Ruby Bediako, his wife, had previously expressed her dismay over what she believed to be her “missing vote,” given that Nana Kwame Bediako only received one vote at their polling station in the Korle Klottey constituency. Despite her frustration, she remained positive, commenting, “Ghana won, and that’s what matters. Let’s support the President-elect and move forward as a nation.”
During the election, Nana Kwame Bediako garnered 84,478 votes, which accounted for 0.75% of the total valid votes. He expressed his gratitude and commitment to fostering peace, saying, “Sometimes God gives you 1, sometimes 10, or even 9. I chose peace, and in that sense, I feel like I won.”
The election results saw John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) winning with 6,328,397 votes, with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP receiving 4,657,304 votes. The NDC also achieved a historic parliamentary majority with 185 seats.
Bediako ended his press conference by calling for national unity and accountability, encouraging Ghanaians to work together for a stronger, more united nation.