Key Issues for Ghanaian Voters Ahead of General Election

Ghana is preparing for its ninth general election since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992. Over this period, the nation has experienced three peaceful transitions of power. The two dominant political entities, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have each held the presidency for a cumulative total of 16 years. This election highlights key issues as the NPP seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term in office. The Ghanaian populace faced significant financial strain due to the global inflation surge that commenced in early 2022, leading to the country’s most rapid price increases in over two decades. The annual inflation rate peaked at 54.1% in December 2022. While this rate has since decreased, it represents an average, and the costs of certain essential goods have continued to climb sharply. For example, eggs and tomatoes cost over twice as much in February 2024 compared to 12 months prior. Other favored Ghanaian products have also seen substantial price hikes, with salaries failing to keep pace. Even the widely consumed national dish, Ga kenkey (fermented maize dumplings) with fish, while not experiencing as drastic a price increase, now features smaller portions of kenkey. Consequently, a greater number of individuals have fallen into poverty, and living standards have deteriorated, according to the World Bank. In 2022, Ghana defaulted on its debt obligations, necessitating protracted negotiations with international creditors to restructure its loans, a process that remains underway. Domestic lenders were compelled to accept reduced repayments. The government also sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund for a bailout program. President Nana Akufo-Addo acknowledged the nation was experiencing a “crisis” but attributed it to external factors. Conversely, the opposition and certain economists contended that the situation stemmed from the government’s economic mismanagement. Ghana’s indebtedness to its creditors has consistently increased over the past two decades, with a notable acceleration observed in 2019. By 2022, the government required over 70% of its revenue solely to cover debt servicing. The nation’s economic challenges have coincided with a continuously increasing unemployment rate. Two decades ago, one in 20 working-age Ghanaians was unemployed; this proportion has now reached one in seven. Given that over half the population, approximately 24 million individuals, are under the age of 35, young people have been disproportionately affected. For those aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate is double the national average, with nearly 30% lacking employment. The perspectives of younger voters could significantly influence the election’s outcome. Gold, with Ghana being Africa’s largest and the world’s 10th biggest producer of the precious metal, holds substantial economic significance. Gold mining has emerged as a prominent discussion point in the months preceding the election, fueled by concerns regarding the environmental harm caused by small-scale and illicit mining activities. However, with the global price of gold more than doubling over the past decade, the appeal of participating in this industry is evident. Gold serves as a major source of foreign exchange for Ghana; in 2023, exports totaled $5.2 billion (£4.1 billion). Beyond gold, the nation possesses resources such as oil, gas, diamonds, bauxite, and lithium, among others. It also holds a significant position in the global cocoa market, ranking as the world’s second-largest provider of this essential chocolate ingredient. According to World Bank experts, these resources have transformed the economy over the last three decades, contributing to the country’s increased wealth and a halving of extreme poverty during that period. The average annual income per person has undergone a dramatic change since 2005, with living standards showing a notable improvement until 2017. Since that time, however, it has seen minimal growth, apart from a surge in 2021. During election periods, politicians must address the reality that voters typically prioritize short-term improvements rather than long-term perspectives when making their decisions. Over the past three decades, Ghana has experienced a succession of closely contested and peaceful elections. Consequently, the nation is frequently cited as a model of open democracy, having moved past instability and its historical record of coups in a region where such events remain a concern. Some elections have been decided by margins of only tens of thousands of votes, and despite occasional legal disputes, the outcomes have typically been accepted by the losing parties. The results of this year’s contest are anticipated within three days following the 7 December election. For additional news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.