The upcoming presidential election in Ghana is gearing up to be a battle centered on economic prowess, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) aiming to wield the economy as its primary weapon against the candidate from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the campaign spokesman for Mahama, expressed disillusionment with the Akufo-Addo government, accusing them of deceiving the populace and leaving the nation in disarray. He highlighted their recourse to the IMF for a bailout after what he described as mismanagement of the economy by Vice President Bawumia.
Bawumia's candidacy not only marks the first instance of a northerner and Muslim vying for the top office on the NPP ticket but also introduces a challenge within a party historically dominated by the ethnic Akan group. This presents a potential hurdle for Mahama, who also hails from the north.
Despite assertions from both parties against leveraging ethnic, religious, or regional loyalties, analysts point out that Ghanaians typically do not align their votes along these lines. However, the convergence of Bawumia and Mahama's northern origins could transform the region into a crucial electoral battleground.
While the NPP traditionally garners strong support in the southern Ashanti region, often associated with the ethnic Akan populace, the party claims that Bawumia's candidacy challenges this stereotype, asserting themselves as a national party.
Bonsu, the NPP campaign spokesman, emphasized this by stating, "We are a national party and we have proven by electing Bawumia as our leader."
The looming election brings attention to the north, where the Muslim vote might split evenly between candidates from the same region, according to Ghanaian pollster Ben Ephson. However, the selection of running mates will play a pivotal role in rallying support from their respective strongholds – Ashanti for the NPP and Volta for the NDC – allowing the candidates to concentrate their efforts on more contentious areas.
Ephson highlighted the strategic significance of securing votes from strongholds before battling it out in the Greater Accra, Central, and Western Regions, stating, "The two parties need to gather as many votes as possible from their strongholds, and then they can contest in three regions: Greater Accra, Central, and Western Region."
As the election looms, the outcome remains uncertain, signaling that the 2024 presidential race in Ghana is far from decided
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