Fatshimetrie
Ghana’s ongoing presidential elections represent a crucial challenge for democracy in a region rocked by extremist violence and coups. As 18.7 million Ghanaians go to the polls, the country is in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in a generation. Despite the challenges facing the country, the two leading candidates offer little hope of change for the nation.
Once a model of democracy in the region, Ghana has long been a beacon of democratic stability, with peaceful elections and robust economic development. However, in recent years, the country has faced a deep economic crisis marked by soaring inflation and a lack of jobs.
According to an opinion poll published this year by the research group Afrobarometer, 82% of Ghanaians believe their country is on the wrong path.
Although 12 candidates are vying for Ghana’s presidency, Saturday’s election – like previous ones since the return of multiparty politics in 1992 – is shaping up to be a two-horse race.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia is the candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is struggling to resolve its economic crisis. He is facing former President John Dramani Mahama, leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Ousted from power in 2016 for failing to deliver on economic promises, Mahama is trying to regain voters’ trust.
The NDC presents itself as a social democratic party, while the NPP claims to be right-wing. However, analysts and voters alike say the platforms of their presidential candidates do not differ significantly.
Alongside the presidential election, 276 members of parliament will also be elected. With 137 MPs each, the ruling NPP and the main opposition NDC are vying for a majority in the National Assembly, while one independent MP has joined the ruling party’s ranks. One additional constituency will contest the election, bringing the total number of MPs to 276.
In their final campaign rallies on Thursday, both candidates highlighted their respective visions for pulling Ghana out of the economic crisis. Bawumia, 61, an Oxford-educated economist and former deputy governor of the country’s central bank, promised to continue the efforts of the outgoing government and stabilize the economy. Mahama, 65, reiterated his desire to “reset” the country in various ways.
In Ghana’s capital Accra, the mood is one of celebration this election season, with posters, placards and political rallies filling the streets. However, there is palpable concern for many about the main issue at stake: the country’s faltering economy, which has been battered in recent years.
Ghana defaulted on most of its foreign debt last year as it grappled with a deepening economic crisis that has driven up prices for fuel, food and other essentials. Inflation hit 54% late last year and while it has since eased, few Ghanaians can really tell the difference when they go to the market.
The ongoing challenge of illegal gold mining, known locally as “galamsey,” has also been a major campaign issue and a source of concern for voters, sparking protests and criticism of the incumbent government.
Despite Ghana’s status as Africa’s largest gold producer and the world’s sixth largest, the precious metal is increasingly being mined illegally as people become increasingly desperate for jobs in a declining economy. Mining has polluted rivers and other parts of the environment despite government action to stop it.
As Ghanaians head to the polls for these crucial elections, the future of their country hangs by a thread. The stakes are high and citizens are hoping their voices will bring positive change for Ghana’s future.