By Edward Acquah
Accra, Nov. 27, GNA- Ghanaians will head to the polls in ten days to elect a President and 276 Members of Parliament in what has been described by analyst as a “defining moment” for the country’s democracy.
A total of 12 presidential candidates are traversing the nation, pushing their respective agendas at campaigns that have, so far, been marked by a focus on issues and policies, with relatively few dramatic developments.
Ghana has a strong history of peaceful elections and successful transfers of power between ruling and opposition parties.
Since 1992, the country has held eight elections, including three instances where power was transferred from one ruling party to an opposition party.
As Ghana prepares for this pivotal election, the country’s flourishing democracy faces another critical test.
President Assurance
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whose second term ends on January 7, 2025, has reassured the nation that he will hand over power peacefully at the conclusion of his tenure.
Since Ghana’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992, no political party has held power for more than two terms (eight years). This “two-term jinx” is something the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has been in power since 2016, is now aiming to break.
The NPP’s presidential candidate, who is also the current Vice President of Ghana, is confident that he can shatter this longstanding tradition. However, he faces fierce competition from former President John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking to reclaim the presidency for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after losing to Akufo-Addo in the 2016 election.
For nearly 30 years, Ghana’s political landscape has been dominated by a back-and-forth power exchange between the NPP and NDC, with no other party managing to break this duopoly. However, this election sees the emergence of two new contenders: The New Force, led by successful businessman Nana Kwame Bediako, and the Movement for Change, led by Alan Kyerematen, a former Minister for Trade and Industry in the current administration. Both parties aim to challenge the entrenched two-party system and offer a fresh alternative.
With Ghana’s political dynamics being heavily influenced by established parties, the two new entrants face a significant challenge in their bid to make history.
Other presidential candidates include Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr (Great Consolidated Popular Party), George Twum-Barima-Adu (Independent), Hassan Abdulai Ayariga (All People’s Congress), Kofi Akpaloo (Liberal Party of Ghana), Mohammed Frimpong (National Democratic Party), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa (Convention People’s Party), and Kofi Koranteng (Independent).
Voters’ considerations
A recent Afrobarometer report has highlighted key factors that will influence voter decisions in Ghana’s upcoming 2024 elections.
The survey, published in October 2024, found that 90 per cent of respondents considered a candidate’s honesty to be a crucial factor in their voting decisions, followed closely by character, with 88 per cent placing emphasis on it.
Fifty-nine per cent of respondents regarded campaign promises as relevant.
The data highlighted a strong preference among Ghanaian voters for integrity and ethical qualities over mere political pledges.
A separate survey by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) also identified the top issues for voters ahead of the elections, with education, employment, healthcare, roads and infrastructure, and the economy being the most significant concerns.
The survey revealed that many voters, especially those focused on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, are concerned about the state of the education system, while younger voters are increasingly prioritizing employment opportunities.
Dr. Henrietta Sarpong, Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation, noted that these concerns reflect the electorate’s ongoing dissatisfaction with current policies and services, highlighting the need for improvements in key sectors.
A poll conducted by Daily Graphic on the Graphic Online news portal also found that the economy was the primary concern for voters.
Of the 3,232 participants, 56.75 per cent (1,834 respondents) indicated that the economy would be the most influential factor in their vote.
Governance expert Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah commented on the poll results, noting that the economy has historically been a decisive factor in Ghana’s elections, citing the 2000 election as an example where economic issues played a central role in determining the outcome.
He stated, “So, the economy generally, almost everywhere, tends to determine the outcomes of elections. So, I’m not surprised.”
Key messages from parties
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawmumia has outlined what he termed as “bold solutions” to upgrade Ghana and digitise the economy.
At the centre of Dr Bawumia’s proposed solutions for businesses includes plans to overhaul the present tax system and allow the private sector to undertake more of government infrastructure projects.
“My government will introduce a flat tax of a percentage of income for individuals and businesses with appropriate exemption thresholds set to protect the poor. We will simplify the corporate tax system.
“We will reform the Value Added Tax regime by merging all levies into a single line-item levy and treat the merged levy as part of input and output VAT. The new system should allow you to complete your tax return in minutes,” Dr Bawumia said at a recent dinner with the business community.
The Vice President has also promised to train one million youth in digital skills to create sustainable jobs.
Former President Mahama has rallied voters to support his agenda to “reset” Ghana, promising to implement the “24-Hour Economy” Programme to revive the economy, reduce employment, and boost export.
Speaking at the launch of the NDC’s Manifesto at Winneba, Central Region in August 2024, Mr Mahama said public institutions whose services were on high demand would run a three-shift system of eight hours each.
The shift system, the former President added, would enhance access to essential public services and create jobs.
He noted that the 24-hour economy would focus on key private sector industries, including agro-processing, construction, financial services, sanitation and garbage collection, extractive industries, hospitality, restaurants, and the transport sector.
Among the incentives to be enjoyed by businesses that would participate in the 24-hour economy policy were cheaper electricity, tax incentives, and other support packages, Mr Mahama added.
“We will provide tax incentives to companies that will sign up and pay lower taxes so that they can reinvest what they have saved back into their operations,” he said.
Mr. Kyerematen has vowed to implement his “Great Transformational Plan” aimed at revitalizing the economy and ensuring long-term, sustainable growth.
He stressed the need for a new economic strategy that would make the country self-reliant and prevent future reliance on the IMF.
Should he succeed in his presidential bid, he promised to be the “transformational leader of our time,” building on the foundations laid by past leaders.
“To achieve this strategic goal of transforming our dear country to become the shining star of the new Africa, I will as President launch and lead the execution of the Great Transformational Plan of Ghana which will span the period 2025 to 2030,” Mr Kyerematen said.
Nana Kwame Bediako has unveiled a 12-pillar “Economic Freedom” policy aimed at transforming Ghana into an economic powerhouse.
The plan focuses on sustainable development and poverty reduction through key areas such as industrialization, infrastructure development, energy, education, and good governance.
Bediako intends to leverage the country’s abundant natural and human resources to implement these reforms and achieve long-term growth.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has unveiled its “Women’s Manifesto,” outlining initiatives aimed at enhancing economic and social development.
Key proposals include the introduction of “AgroSure,” “GhanaBa Shares,” and various women empowerment programs, all designed to uplift women and drive national progress.
“Under ‘GhanaBa Shares’, every Ghanaian will have access to shares in national industries. No longer will wealth ow out of our borders or into the hands of a few.
“We will build industrial and technology hubs across the nation, ensuring that our young people have the skills to create, innovate, and lead in every sector, from manufacturing to information technology,” Nana Sarpong Kumankumah, the CPP’s falgbearer said at the launch of the Party’s Manifesto.
EC’s preparedness
According to the Electoral Commission (EC), there are a total of 18,640,811 registered voters for the upcoming elections, with nearly 900,000 new voters added during the last registration exercise.
The EC has confirmed that preparations for the December 7, 2024, elections are on track, and they are committed to conducting a free, fair, and transparent election.
In a meeting with the National Elections Security Taskforce on November 27, 2024, Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the EC, assured that preparations were well underway for the Special Voting Exercise scheduled for December 2, 2024, at 328 centres nationwide.
She confirmed that all ballot papers, except for those for the Bono, Bono East, and Northern regions, had been distributed, with remaining papers set to be delivered the following afternoon. Biometric Verification Devices for eight regions have already been secured in police armouries.
The EC has also recruited close to 210,000 temporary staff for the elections, all of whom are currently undergoing training to maintain high professional standards during the voting process.
Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector-General of Police and Chairman of the Elections Security Taskforce, assured that security agencies are prepared to provide full protection for the elections.
He said that voters, political parties, and other stakeholders would be safe before, during, and after the polls.
Voting will take place across more than 40,000 polling stations, with voting hours from 07:00 to 17:00.
The elections will determine the next President of Ghana and the 276 Members of Parliament for the next four years.
GNA