Ghana Election: Vote Counting Underway as Nation Awaits New President

The counting of ballots has commenced in Ghana following Saturday’s general election. The voting process was predominantly peaceful, with the exception of a deadly shooting incident reported in the northern region of the nation. According to police, four individuals were apprehended at a polling station in Nyankpala. This occurred after an opposition Member of Parliament candidate tried to lodge a complaint but was obstructed by supporters of the ruling party. Subsequently, soldiers have been deployed to Nyankpala in armored vehicles to re-establish order. In other areas, election day proceeded without incident, with some Ghanaian citizens forming queues before dawn to ensure they cast their votes. Polling centers officially concluded operations at 17:00 GMT, and the announcement of election results is anticipated on Tuesday. Ghana’s land borders have been sealed until Sunday evening, a measure that correspondents have characterized as unusual. The West African nation is set to have a new president, as Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after completing the official two-term limit in office. However, a familiar figure might succeed him if former President John Mahama’s bid for a comeback with the NDC party proves successful. The primary challenger to Mahama is anticipated to be Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who, if victorious for the governing NPP party, would become Ghana’s first Muslim leader. Additional candidates include Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman favored by young voters, and Alan Kyerematen, who left the ruling NPP party last year. Approximately 19 million Ghanaian citizens are registered to participate in the vote. Despite Ghana’s recent implementation of stricter legislation aimed at increasing female representation in prominent political roles, only one woman is contending for the presidency: Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP). The sole other female presidential candidate in this election, Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party, passed away in October. Nevertheless, her name will remain on ballot papers due to the disqualification of the candidate selected to replace her. Voters in 275 constituencies nationwide are also electing their members of parliament as part of Saturday’s general election. Since the reintroduction of multi-party politics in Ghana in 1992, presidential victories have exclusively gone to candidates from either the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). No political party has ever secured more than two consecutive terms in office. To achieve a first-round victory, a presidential candidate must obtain over 50% of the votes. Should this not occur, the two leading contenders will proceed to a run-off vote scheduled for the end of December. Serwaa Yeboah Joshebeth, an 18-year-old first-time voter, informed the BBC that “it is important for you to vote to choose the best for your country.” The recent graduate expressed a desire for increased job opportunities, stating, “not for me alone but for others who need them [too].” Kojo Yeboah, aged 95, concurred. “The next leader must focus on education and jobs for the youth,” the retired university worker stated to the BBC while outside a polling booth in Kumasi. He further added, “I benefit from stipends from the state at my age already.” As the campaigns concluded on Friday, Bawumia remarked about his primary opponent: “What is clear is that notwithstanding the challenges we’ve had, we have performed better than the government of John Dramani Mahama.” Meanwhile, Mahama conveyed to his supporters that “it is a choice between the Ghana we have today and the Ghana we want together. A Ghana of opportunity, prosperity, and justice for all.” In recent years, Ghanaians have experienced significant hardship due to inflation, which peaked at 54.1% in 2022. Despite a subsequent decline, the World Bank reports that thousands have been driven into poverty and living standards have deteriorated. In the same year, Ghana defaulted on its debt repayments, and the government remains engaged in extensive negotiations with international lenders to attempt to restructure the loans. Unemployment also remains elevated, especially among the youth, whose perspectives could significantly influence the election’s result. Further reporting was provided by Favour Nunoo in Accra and Damian Zane in London. More news from the African continent can be found at BBCAfrica.com. Follow updates on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC assumes no responsibility for the content of external websites. Details regarding our external linking policy are available.