Ghana is set to hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, with hopes of steering the nation toward economic recovery following its worst financial crisis in decades. Voting begins at 7 a.m. local time (UTC) and closes at 5 p.m., with provisional legislative results anticipated by late Saturday or Sunday. The final outcome of the presidential election is expected by Tuesday.
Twelve candidates are in the race to succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down next month after completing two terms, as required by law. However, the election is largely a contest between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mahama, who served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2016, is campaigning on promises to “reset” the country. He has pledged to introduce a “24-hour economy” by extending industrial operations to boost job creation and productivity. Criticizing the current administration for its economic policies, Mahama has vowed to renegotiate the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout secured in 2023 to restructure Ghana’s debts.
Meanwhile, Bawumia, the NPP’s candidate, is pushing for an unprecedented third term for the party. As a former central banker and leader of President Akufo-Addo’s economic management team, Bawumia has faced scrutiny over the government’s handling of the economic crisis. Nevertheless, he highlights Ghana’s recent economic rebound, pointing to a 6.9% year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2024—the fastest in five years. Bawumia has assured voters that he will implement policies to sustain this recovery and address lingering economic challenges.
The election comes amid heightened public frustration over inflation, high unemployment, and a depreciating currency, which have severely impacted living standards. Both candidates represent starkly different visions for Ghana’s path forward. Mahama has criticized Bawumia as a continuation of the policies that contributed to the crisis, while Bawumia emphasizes gradual recovery and future growth.
With the stakes high, Ghanaians are bracing for a pivotal election that will shape the nation’s economic and political trajectory.
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