Ghana has set the stage for its presidential and parliamentary elections as the voting begins in the country, with the economy at the forefront of voters’ concerns. The nation, grappling with a severe debt crisis and high living costs, will choose a new leader as President Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after completing the constitutional limit of two terms in office.
Long Queues as Ghanaians Eagerly Await Voting Day
It’s the familiar names and faces again in a race for the presidency in Ghana. The National Democratic Congress’s candidate is former President John Mahama. His primary challenger is Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party. Bawumia, who could potentially become Ghana’s first Muslim leader, stands a fair chance to defeat Mahama.
The voters queue up across the country as early as Friday night eagerly waiting to cast their pre-election votes. Over 18 million registered voters across the country will troop their way to over 40,000 polling centers as they seek to elect themselves a president and members of parliament.
Many citizens traded in their night’s sleep over the weekend so that they be among the first ones when the voting begins. Official voting hour begins at 7:00 AM GMT and closes at 5:00 PM.
Candidates’ Promises: Jobs, Taxes, and Growth
Vice-President Bawumia has concentrated his campaign on reducing taxes and pushing his digitalization agenda to transform the economy of Ghana into a modern one. Former President Mahama has promised to introduce a “25-hour economy” to create more jobs and boost productivity.
But to most voters, the past eight years have been characterized by economic hardship. They cannot afford basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Most of them understand that COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have contributed to these factors in Ghana, but frustration with the domestic governance continues.
Electoral Commission Assures a Smooth Process
The Electoral Commission of Ghana, led by Jean Mensa, has assured the public that it is ready to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election. The commission has distributed all the necessary polling materials across the country and trained over 210,000 personnel to oversee the voting process.
“Everything has been delivered to the various regions, and we are confident there will be no shortages,” Mensa stated. She emphasized that all electoral staff must follow the law and treat all voters fairly to avoid any disputes.
Security Measures in Place
The national security task force, led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), promised to make sure that there is peacefulness throughout the election processes. Citizens have been encouraged to vote peacefully and go home afterwards.
“Go and vote, then let the stakeholders do their thing. Do not cause a row that might tarnish the country’s reputation,” IGP said.
In 2020, eight people lost their lives during elections. Authorities have promised strict measures to avoid chaos, and soldiers will not be stationed at polling centers for the fear of violence.
The Peace Council facilitated signing a peace pact among presidential candidates to commit them to accept the election results. It is an agreement that intends to encourage Ghanaians to vote in peaceful areas with no fear of conflict.
Ghanaians Vote on Key Issues
As citizens prepare to cast their votes, the economy, job creation, healthcare, education, corruption, and illegal mining (galamsey) are some of the key issues influencing their decisions.
With polling centers closing at 5:00 PM, the Electoral Commission expects to announce the results within 72 hours after voting ends.
This election is not just the choice of leaders but a test to Ghana’s democracy and unity. The eyes of the nation and the world are glued to this election, where Ghanaians hope to have a peaceful and fair process that reflects the will of the people.
