Nathaniel Qainoo, a 29-year-old from Kasoa, Ghana, is among many Ghanaians grappling with the economic crisis that has plagued the country. Despite having a degree in accounting, Qainoo has struggled to find work in his field for the past five years. Instead, he now spends his days repairing cars under the shade of a mango tree, swapping his calculator for a spanner.
The harsh economic realities of Ghana, which spiraled into a crisis in 2022, have left Qainoo and many of his peers feeling disillusioned. The nation’s debt default, skyrocketing inflation, and the plummeting value of the cedi have significantly impacted daily life. With the economy still reeling, young people, in particular, see few opportunities for employment in a country where the unemployment rate stands at 14%. For many, the idea of leaving Ghana for a better life abroad seems like the only viable option.
Qainoo is one such individual who is contemplating emigration, his mind set on North America or Europe, where he hopes for better job prospects and living conditions. “I would like to leave the country, go outside, live better, work harder,” he says. As one of the many young Ghanaians disillusioned by the economy, Qainoo’s decision not to vote in the upcoming December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections speaks to a broader frustration. Despite this, the Electoral Commission is optimistic about a high voter turnout.
The economy has dominated the election campaigns, with both main presidential candidates addressing the country's financial woes. Former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is seeking to return to power, focusing his campaign on “resetting” the economy, while Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is positioning himself as the future of Ghana, promising to develop a “digital economy” to tackle unemployment.
Bawumia, who has a master's degree in economics from Oxford University, has faced criticism for his role in the current economic decline. However, he continues to campaign on promises of economic revitalization, including skills training for young people and supporting tech entrepreneurs. Mahama, on the other hand, highlights his previous term as a period when the economy didn’t collapse despite challenges, although critics point to his administration's failure to solve the power crisis.
As the election approaches, Ghanaians like Qainoo remain caught between their hopes for change and the deep-seated frustration over the state of the country’s economy. According to political analyst Asa Asante, the race will be close, and the outcome will hinge on the candidates' ability to convince voters that their plans will truly bring relief.
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