Ghana is set to have a new president following the upcoming election in December. The current vice-president, Mahamudu Bawumia, and former head of state, John Mahama, are the top contenders vying to win the election. The incumbent president, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was first elected in 2016, is nearing the end of his second and final four-year term. Over the past three decades, Ghana has witnessed a series of closely contested yet peaceful elections, establishing a reputation for the orderly transfer of power between administrations.
On election day, both presidential and parliamentary elections will be held concurrently. In the presidential race, there are 12 candidates, but only two have a realistic chance of victory. Since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992, candidates from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been the only ones to secure victory. The two frontrunners in the current election are Mahamudu Bawumia (NPP) and John Mahama (NDC).
Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP candidate, served as vice-president under Akufo-Addo for eight years and is an Oxford-educated economist. He could potentially become Ghana’s first Muslim president, but has faced criticism for the country’s economic downturn during his tenure. John Mahama, representing the NDC, aims to make a comeback after losing the 2016 election. His previous presidency was marked by challenges, including power outages known as “Dumsor”.
Other candidates gaining attention include businessman Nana Kwame Bediako and former minister Alan Kyerematen. Economic concerns, particularly the rising cost of living and high inflation rates, have been central issues in the lead-up to the election. The World Bank estimates that a significant number of Ghanaians may have fallen into poverty due to economic hardships. Unemployment among the youth and emigration in search of better opportunities have also been pressing issues.
The NDC advocates for a reset, criticizing the current performance, while the NPP highlights its efforts to build a resilient economy on the verge of transformation. The election is poised to shape Ghana’s future trajectory amidst economic challenges and social concerns.
In Ghana, the issue of illegal gold mining, locally known as “galamsey,” has taken center stage as a major point of contention in the lead-up to the upcoming election. The destructive practice has not only caused the pollution of vital rivers with hazardous chemicals but has also sparked a wave of public outcry and demonstrations calling for urgent action.
Both of the country’s major political parties, the NPP and NDC, acknowledge the pressing need to address the environmental disaster caused by the unregulated gold rush. While the NPP advocates for a balanced approach that allows some small-scale miners to continue their operations for economic reasons, the NDC is pushing for stricter regulations and a halt to the issuance of new mining licenses.
The upcoming presidential election in Ghana is poised to be a closely contested affair, with the winning candidate required to secure more than half of the total votes cast to avoid a runoff. In the event that no candidate surpasses the threshold in the first round, a second round featuring the top two candidates will be held by the end of December.
On election day, voters are required to present their voter’s ID card at their designated polling station, where their fingerprints are digitally verified before receiving two ballot papers. Following the casting of their vote, each voter’s little finger is marked with indelible ink to prevent duplicate voting and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Ghana has a history of closely fought presidential elections, with razor-thin margins deciding the outcome in past contests. In 2008, less than half a percentage point separated the top two candidates in the decisive second round. Similarly, in the subsequent election, the winning candidate, Mahama, barely crossed the 50% threshold in the initial round by a margin of fewer than 80,000 votes.
The 2012 election result faced legal challenges from the opposition NPP, alleging tampering with tally sheets at specific polling stations. Though the challenge was ultimately unsuccessful, it prompted the electoral commission to implement enhanced measures aimed at ensuring greater transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
As the country braces for the upcoming election, all eyes are on Ghana to uphold democratic principles and conduct a free and fair electoral process. Election observers will play a crucial role in monitoring the proceedings to safeguard the integrity of the vote and uphold the will of the Ghanaian people.
In conclusion, the issue of illegal gold mining and environmental degradation, alongside the closely contested nature of past elections, underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and transparency in Ghana’s political landscape. As the nation prepares to choose its next leader, the outcome of the election will not only shape the future direction of the country but also serve as a test of its commitment to democratic governance.
