Ghana Election 2024: Who Succeeds Nana Akufo-Addo?

iexclusivenews – Ghana Election 2024 is a pivotal moment for the nation as voters head to the polls to elect a new president to succeed Nana Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down after serving two terms.

Twelve candidates are vying to succeed him, but the race is seen as primarily between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, chosen successor of Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The outcome is far from certain, with both candidates presenting strong cases for their leadership. Opinion polls have tipped Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2016, for a potential comeback.

The election, which began at 0700 GMT and will close at 1700 GMT on Saturday is crucial for Ghana as the country struggles to recover from its economic woes.

The new president who will face the daunting task of reviving the economy and restoring stability, will also determine the composition of the country’s new parliament. Early results are expected on Sunday, with the full presidential election results anticipated by Tuesday.

“We want to vote for change, the economic situation is very hard,” AFP quoted a retired policeman James Nsiah as saying while waiting to cast his ballot at a booth in the capital Accra. “The cost of living is high.”

This presidential election pits current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) against his main challenger, former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Bawumia and Mahama are both from the historically disadvantaged northern part of the country and have rallied hard to appeal to their support bases. Their approaches to the economy – Ghana’s main issue at present – differ.

While the NPP favours a private sector growth approach, the NDC wants to implement more government intervention.

“These elections are unique because the north will likely determine the winner for the first time,” analyst Emmanuel Yeboah of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD) told Al Jazeera.

This online news outlet gathered that to ensure the integrity of the vote, Ghana’s government temporarily closed all land borders from Friday night through Sunday, according to an interior ministry statement.

With a history of political stability, Ghana’s two main parties, the NPP and NDC, have alternated in power almost equally since 1992.

NPP’s Campaign and Economic Record

Touting the slogan “Break the 8” — a reference to the usual two, four-year terms in power — the NPP hopes Bawumia can lead them to an unprecedented third term in office.

However, he has struggled to distance himself from criticism of Akufo-Addo’s economic record.

“I know what I want to do from day one in the presidency. Give me the chance to transform this nation,” Bawumia told thousands of supporters at a closing rally in Accra.

A UK-educated economist, he points to an economy turning a corner and the government’s continued plans for digitalisation to ease business as well as free education and health programmes.

According to AFP, inflation slowed from more than 50 percent to around 23 percent, and other macro-economic indicators are stabilising.

However, many Ghanaians still say they struggle with the cost of living, scarce jobs, and a depreciated cedi currency.

NDC’s Challenge and Mahama’s Vision

Frustration over the economy has opened the way for a challenge from opposition candidate Mahama, who was president from 2012 to 2017 and has since failed twice in presidential bids.

The NDC flag-bearer says he will “reset” Ghana and introduce a “24-hour economy,” extending industrial hours to create jobs and more production, and also renegotiate parts of the IMF deal.

Some analysts gave him an edge because of voter dismay with NPP economics, but the former president faced criticism from those who remember government financial woes and massive power cuts during his time in office.

Ghana Election 2024 Regional Dynamics and Security Concerns

Both major candidates are from the north of the country, traditionally an NDC stronghold, but now more fragmented, making the region a key battleground.

While the economy is a key issue, Ghana also faces an increasing risk of spillover in its northern regions from jihadist conflicts in Niger and Burkina Faso, where military juntas rule after coups.

The spread of illegal gold mining has also become an election issue. Akufo-Addo promised to stop illegal mining, but it has expanded, poisoning riverways and impacting cacao farmlands — a major source of export income.

The Ghana Election 2024 is a critical juncture for the nation as it seeks to overcome economic challenges and restore stability. With Mahamudu Bawumia and John Mahama presenting contrasting visions for the future, the outcome of this election will shape Ghana’s path forward. As the country awaits the results, the focus remains on the economy, security, and the integrity of the electoral process.