Ghana Electoral Commission has approved 13 candidates for the upcoming 2024 presidential election, including Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former president John Dramani Mahama. The West African nation will head to the polls on December 7 to elect a new leader as President Nana Akufo-Addo is set to step down after serving the maximum two terms.
John Mahama, 65, represents the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), while Bawumia, 60, has been chosen as the candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Both candidates are well-known figures in Ghanaian politics, with Bawumia having previously served as a central banker and Mahama having held the presidency from 2012 to 2017.
Ghana’s electoral landscape is marked by a long-standing tradition where no party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in government. This election will determine whether the NPP can break that pattern or if the NDC can reclaim power.
Diverse candidate pool
In addition to Mahama and Bawumia, the Electoral Commission has approved several other candidates, including Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former trade and industry minister who resigned from the ruling NPP to run as an independent candidate. Other notable candidates include businessman Nana Kwame Bediako, who is making his first bid for the presidency, and Nana Akosua Frimpomaa, one of two women vying for the top position.
The wide range of candidates reflects the vibrant nature of Ghana’s democracy, with political newcomers and independents challenging the dominance of the two main parties, the NPP and NDC.
Allegations of electoral irregularities
As the election approaches, concerns have emerged over the transparency of the process. Earlier this week, the NDC staged nationwide protests, accusing the Electoral Commission of illegally transferring voters to different polling stations without their knowledge. These allegations have heightened tensions and cast a shadow over the credibility of the electoral process.
The Electoral Commission has promised to review the NDC’s petition and respond in the coming days. The commission’s image has been under scrutiny, with a recent survey by Afrobarometer showing public trust in the institution at a historic low since polling on confidence began in 1999.
Looking ahead
As the 2024 election draws closer, the race between Mahama and Bawumia is expected to dominate the political landscape. However, the presence of independent candidates and newcomers could shake up the dynamics of the election and present new challenges for the major parties.
The upcoming poll will be a crucial test of Ghana’s democratic institutions and their ability to conduct free and fair elections. With public confidence in the electoral commission at stake, all eyes will be on how the process unfolds in the coming weeks.
