Ghana’s Presidential Election: Vote Counting Begins

The people of Ghana have spoken, and now the wait begins. Vote counting has commenced in the West African nation after millions cast their ballots on December 7, 2024, to elect a new president and 276 legislators. The election marks the ninth democratic transition since Ghana’s return to democratic rule in January 1993.

As the votes are being counted, tensions are running high, with many fearing a disorderly outcome. The election has been marked by intense campaigning, with the two main parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), trading blows over the economy, corruption, and infrastructure development.

The NDC’s candidate, John Dramani Mahama, a former president, has been critical of the incumbent NPP government’s handling of the economy, which has been plagued by high inflation, a depreciating currency, and a debt crisis. Mahama has promised to restore economic stability and create jobs.

On the other hand, the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the current vice president, has defended the government’s economic record, citing the implementation of policies such as the “Free Senior High School” (FSHS) program. Bawumia has also promised to continue the program and introduce new initiatives to boost economic growth.

Ghana’s Presidential Election

As the votes are being counted, the Electoral Commission (EC) has assured Ghanaians of a transparent and peaceful process. The EC has deployed officials to all 40,975 polling stations across the country to ensure that the counting process is smooth and accurate.

The international community has also been observing the election, with many expressing hopes for a peaceful and credible outcome. The United States, the European Union, and the African Union have all deployed observer missions to Ghana to monitor the election.

As the nation waits with bated breath for the outcome, many are hoping for a peaceful transition of power. Ghana has a reputation for being one of the most stable democracies in West Africa, and many are eager to see this reputation upheld.

The outcome of the election is expected to be announced in the coming days, and Ghanaians are bracing themselves for the results. Whoever emerges as the winner will face the daunting task of addressing the country’s economic challenges, improving infrastructure, and restoring trust in government.

Who is John Dramani Mahama?

The NDC’s candidate, John Dramani Mahama is a renowned Ghanaian politician who served as the President of Ghana from 2012 to 2017. Born on November 29, 1958, in Damongo, Ghana, Mahama hails from the Gonja ethnic group in the Savanna Region. With a strong educational background, including a degree in history from the University of Ghana and a postgraduate diploma in communication studies, Mahama has had a distinguished career in politics, serving as Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Communications, Minister of Communications, and Vice President of Ghana before becoming President. During his presidency, he implemented the Better Ghana Agenda, improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education, and played a key role in regional and international affairs. Although he lost the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, Mahama remains a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics, advocating for democratic values and sustainable development.

Who is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia?

On the other hand, the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a Ghanaian economist, banker, and politician who has been serving as the Vice President of Ghana since January 7, 2017. Born on October 7, 1963, in Tamale, Ghana, he boasts an impressive educational background, including degrees from the University of Buckingham, Oxford University, and Simon Fraser University in Canada. Before entering politics, Bawumia had a distinguished career in banking and economics, serving as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and working as an economist at the International Monetary Fund. As a key figure in the New Patriotic Party, he has been a strong advocate for digital transformation in Ghana, leading initiatives like the Digital Ghana Agenda, and has received several awards for his work.

The world is watching Ghana, and the nation is holding its breath as it awaits the outcome of this crucial election. As one Ghanaian voter put it, “We are hoping for a peaceful and credible election. We want a leader who will listen to our concerns and work to improve our lives.”

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