Ghanaians will on Saturday head to the polls to choose a new president.
The country stands at a crossroads with voters seeking solutions to deepening economic crisis, debt crisis, inflation, unemployment to cost of living crisis, anticipating a leadership change that could chart a new course for the gold-rich nation.
The election marks the end of Nana Akufo-Addo’s two-term presidency, with the 80-year-old stepping down after reaching the constitutional limit for officeholders.
Mr Akufo-Addo, who has led the country since 2017, handpicked his vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, to succeed him. Mr Bawumia, a technocrat and economist, will make history as Ghana’s first Muslim president if he wins.
Mr Bawumia’s candidacy, however, faces stiff competition from a familiar figure in Ghanaian politics—former President John Mahama, who is seeking a comeback after losing his re-election bid in 2016.
Mr Mahama, now representing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), remains a potent figure in the race, with many voters hoping his return would address Ghana’s economic challenges, particularly inflation and debt.
Beyond these frontrunners, other contenders include businessman Nana Kwame Bediako, who has captured the attention of younger voters, and Alan Kyerematen, who left the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2023 to form his own political platform.
While Ghana’s political landscape has historically been dominated by the NPP and the NDC since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992, no party has managed to secure more than two consecutive terms.
The ballot, however, will also feature the name of Akua Donkor, a candidate from the Ghana Freedom Party who passed away in October. Her name remained on the ballot after her successor was disqualified.
Women’s representation remains a key issue in Ghana’s political future. Despite recent legislation aimed at increasing female participation in politics, only one female candidate, Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), is running for president.
Voter turnout is expected to be high, with nearly 19 million registered to vote across 275 constituencies. Alongside the presidential election, voters will also choose their members of parliament during this pivotal day.
The polls opened from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM GMT.
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