Private television says President Mahama is ahead of rival Akufo-Addo with nearly all votes counted.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has a slim lead over rival Nana Akufo-Addo with nearly all the votes counted in the country’s tight presidential race, local media says.

Privately owned Joy News television said Mahama had 50.03 per cent of the votes against Akufo-Addo’s 48.05 per cent based on provisional results from 261 of 275 districts.

It said its findings were based on trends of pre-tallied votes in addition to an analysis of outstanding districts.

There were a total of eight presidential candidates. In the event that any of the candidates fail to receive at least 50 per cent of the votes, a run-off vote would be held on December 28.

Ghana, an oil rich nation with a booming economy, is aspiring to bolster its credentials with the election as a stable democracy in turbulent West Africa.

Mahama, 54, of the National Democratic Congress, assumed the presidency in July after his predecessor John Atta Mills died due to an illness.

Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary polls were held on Friday, but polling stations in some areas re-opened on Saturday.

This was due to problems with a new biometric system and late delivery of materials which led to delays.