Public frustration over Ghana’s economic struggles, including rising prices and a lack of jobs, has dominated the lead-up to Saturday’s general election, which is expected to test the nation’s democratic resilience.
Support for outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo and his ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has plummeted during his second term, amid the worst economic crisis in decades, protests over the cost of living, and instability in key industries such as cocoa and gold. As a result, the push for change has tipped both the presidential and legislative races in favor of opposition leader John Dramani Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC), according to recent polls. However, many voters are growing disillusioned with the political process.
“The country is ruined. I will vote, but I don’t think it will change anything,” said 18-year-old Emmanuel Kwaku Jr, a high school graduate casting his ballot for the first time. A recent survey by pan-African research group Afrobarometer found that 82% of Ghanaians feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, with fewer than half expecting improvement in the coming year.
“We have the trappings of democracy: we hold elections every four years, yet the benefits are minimal,” said Abena Tekyiwaa Manuh, senior fellow at the Accra-based Centre for Democratic Governance (CDD). “That’s dangerous.” Ghana’s commitment to two-term limits for presidents and largely peaceful transitions of power has made it an exception in a region increasingly plagued by coups and political instability.
However, whoever wins the election will face immense pressure to fulfill campaign promises and improve the lives of citizens. If not, the youthful population may begin to question whether democracy is overrated, said Manuh and two Western diplomats. “We see a lot of anger among the youth, a sense of hopelessness, but also a sense of change. If that change doesn’t happen after the elections, what will happen?” one diplomat asked, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There is growing concern that Ghana’s peace and democracy are fragile.”
A ‘Tricky Phase’
Twelve candidates are running for president, with Mahama and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling NPP seen as the leading contenders. Both have pledged to address the economic instability that has plagued the country since 2020, including soaring inflation, a $3 billion IMF bailout, and massive debt restructuring.
Polls open at 0700 GMT and close at 1700 GMT for the 18.7 million registered voters. Legislative results are expected by early Monday, with presidential results due by Tuesday. However, trends may allow the outcome to be called earlier.
The results period is expected to be “a tricky phase,” with rising tensions due to a lack of trust in institutions, including the electoral commission, said Jonas Claes, elections lead for the EU delegation in Ghana. Mahama and the NDC have repeatedly questioned the commission’s ability to conduct a credible election, citing voter roll irregularities and other concerns.
Bawumia and the NPP, on the other hand, argue that the allegations are an attempt by Mahama to prepare for rejecting the results if they don’t go his way.
“I don’t think widespread violence is expected, but it’s hard to be 100% sure,” Claes said.