Ghana’s Elections: Key Issues and Presidential Contenders

Ghana is set to elect a new president following the December election. The two primary candidates vying for victory are the incumbent vice-president, Mahamudu Bawumia, and John Mahama, who previously served as head of state. Nana Akufo-Addo, initially elected in 2016, is concluding his second and ultimate four-year term in office. Over the past three decades, the nation has experienced numerous elections that were keenly contested yet remained peaceful. Ghana is recognized for its systematic transitions of power between different governments. Two elections will occur concurrently on the day of voting: While 12 individuals are competing for the presidency, only two possess a credible prospect of success. Since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992, only contenders from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have emerged victorious. The two leading contenders are: FULL PROFILE: From political outsider to Ghana’s ‘Mr Digital’ FULL PROFILE: The former president seeking to lead Ghana once more Other candidates attracting notice include: Economic matters have been the primary focus of public concern leading up to the election, particularly the escalating cost of living. By the close of 2022, the yearly inflation rate reached 54%. Although it has decreased subsequently, prices continue to climb sharply. The World Bank reported that up to 850,000 Ghanaians might have fallen into poverty in 2022 due to the increasing costs of goods and services. These “new poor” were added to the six million individuals already experiencing poverty. Government financial resources were exhausted by the conclusion of 2022, leaving minimal funds to support the national budget, which compelled Ghana to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund. A significant characteristic of recent years has also been youth unemployment and a migration of Ghanaians seeking improved prospects abroad. The NDC has condemned this situation as an “abysmal performance” and called for a fundamental change. The ruling NPP asserts that it has established a robust economy poised on the “cusp of… transformation,” indicating that a change in leadership is currently unwarranted. Worries regarding the environmental consequences of illicit gold mining, locally referred to as “galamsey,” have emerged as another prominent topic of discussion. Prior to the election, multiple protests have occurred concerning this activity, which has resulted in the contamination of several significant rivers with hazardous chemicals. Both principal parties concur on the necessity of addressing this matter, but while the NPP contends that permitting some small-scale miners to proceed with their operations is vital for the economy, the NDC advocates for considerably stricter regulation and a limitation on new licenses. For a candidate to secure victory in the first round of the presidential election, they must obtain over half of the total votes cast. Should no candidate exceed this threshold, a second-round run-off between the two candidates with the highest vote counts will be conducted by the close of December. The parliamentary election operates on a first-past-the-post system, where the victor in each constituency is the candidate who garners the greatest proportion of votes, irrespective of whether that share is below 50%. On election day, every voter may present themselves at their designated polling station with their voter’s ID card. There, their fingerprints will be electronically verified, and they will subsequently receive the two ballot papers. Following the casting of their ballot, each individual will have their little finger marked with indelible ink to preclude them from voting again. Ghana has experienced multiple closely contested presidential elections since 1992. In 2008, the margin between the two candidates in the second round was less than half a percentage point. Four years later, in that election, the victor, Mahama, narrowly surpassed the 50% threshold in the initial round by fewer than 80,000 votes. That outcome prompted a legal challenge from the NPP, which contended that tally sheets at specific polling stations had been manipulated. The challenge did not succeed, yet it prompted the electoral commission to implement new protocols aimed at enhancing transparency. Election observers have consistently commended the administration of the vote. Based on past elections, the electoral commission is anticipated to declare the results by 10 December. Additional reporting by Favour Nunoo and Komla Adom in Accra. For additional news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com. Connect with us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Details concerning our policy on external linking are available.