Voters are set to select representatives for 276 parliamentary seats in the polls on Saturday. The presidential election is a contest between Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling NPP and former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC.
President Nana Akufo-Addo plans to hand over leadership to his vice-president when he steps down on January 7, 2025. The election features 12 presidential candidates, but it is anticipated to be a contest primarily between Bawumia and Mahama.
If Bawumia emerges victorious, he will make history as Ghana’s first Muslim president and the NPP would achieve the milestone of securing three consecutive terms in office for the first time. In contrast, Mahama is aiming for a comeback similar to Donald Trump’s, focusing his campaign on the economic successes Ghana experienced during his time in office.
The ruling party is encountering increasing public discontent due to a deepening debt crisis, the repercussions of illegal mining, and a diminishing faith in the government’s capability to tackle unemployment and inflation.
Several protests erupted across the country this year, driven by outrage over suspected corruption among political leaders. Additionally, environmental damage and health risks posed by illegal mining in Africa’s largest gold producer have become significant concerns.
Polling stations opened at approximately 7 AM local time and are set to close at 5 PM.