Ghana’s recent election was marked by a peaceful and transparent process, free from common electoral issues such as rigging, ballot snatching, vote buying, or violence.
The election proceeded without any killings or intimidation, and there were no reports of divisive or threatening behavior, such as calls for people to “go back to Igboland” or to vote only for certain candidate that Lagos State belonged to Yoruba, as seen in some part of Nigeria in the last election.
This calm and orderly election underscores Ghana’s commitment to democratic principles and highlights its reputation for political maturity and stability in West Africa.
This election carries high stakes as Ghana strives for economic recovery following its worst financial crisis in a generation, which led to a historic debt default. President Nana Akufo-Addo will step down next month after serving the maximum two terms permitted by the constitution in this nation, renowned as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer and a significant gold miner.
A total of 12 candidates vied for the presidency, though the race largely boiled down to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mahama, 66, has campaigned on a promise to renegotiate a $3 billion IMF bailout, which was secured last year to address Ghana’s debt crisis. Criticizing Bawumia as the face of economic policies that led to the financial turmoil, Mahama told voters in his hometown of Bole, “This is the only election where the direction of the outcome is clear before voting starts. We are hopeful and confident that we’ll win.”
Meanwhile, Bawumia, 61, a former central banker, expressed optimism about his chances, emphasizing Ghana’s recent economic progress. “By the grace of God, I’m very hopeful of winning this election. We have worked hard, and our message has been well received,” he said after voting in Walewale, his constituency in northern Ghana.
Bawumia’s campaign highlighted Ghana’s 6.9% economic growth in the second quarter of 2024—the highest in five years—promising policies to build on this momentum if elected.
The voting process was calm and orderly, according to both candidates, with Ghanaians demonstrating the peaceful conduct that has become synonymous with the country’s electoral process. Jubilant NDC supporters later took to the streets of Accra’s historic Jamestown district, celebrating preliminary results that showed their party in a comfortable lead, with chants, pan-banging, and horn-blaring filling the air.
As vote counting continues, Ghana remains a beacon of democratic stability and progress in a region often plagued by electoral violence and political unrest.
