Former South African President Jacob Zuma has suggested that the re-election of President John Dramani Mahama signals a shift in African perspectives on elections.

President Mahama emerged victorious in the 2024 elections, defeating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

In an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Mr. Zuma, who attended President Mahama’s inauguration on January 7, 2025, shared his satisfaction with Mahama’s electoral success.

“Knowing him [Mahama], knowing his views, knowing what he’s capable of doing, and he won, I was very happy,” Zuma said.

He further explained, “To me, it indicated that Africans are beginning to look at the elections differently. And I thought it was important to come and support him and also to see Ghanaians, to see whether they were as happy as the South Africans are happy now.”

Zuma reflected on the scene at Independence Square, remarking, “And I found them so happy, where we were [Independence Square], there was almost no place to put your feet, because people were here, which indicated the happiness that the people of Ghana were showing.”