Ghana Elections: 18.7 million citizens decide between John Mahama, Mahamudu Bawumia

Approximately 18.7 million Ghanaians headed to the polls on Saturday, December 7, 2024, to vote in a highly anticipated presidential and parliamentary election. This election comes as the nation works to recover from its worst financial crisis in decades, which resulted in a major debt default in 2022.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has served two terms, is set to step down next month as required by Ghana’s constitution. Among the 12 candidates vying to replace him, the main contenders are Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“This is the only election where we can all see the direction of the outcome before we start voting,” Mahama said after casting his vote in his hometown of Bole. Expressing confidence, he added, “We are hopeful and confident that we’ll win.”

Bawumia, casting his vote in his Walewale constituency, shared a similar optimism. “By the grace of God, I’m very hopeful of winning this election. I think that we have done a lot of work. We have put our message to the people, and I think the message has been well received,” he said.

The two leading candidates present starkly different visions for Ghana’s future. Mahama has criticized Bawumia for representing a continuation of the current administration’s policies, which he blames for the country’s economic challenges. He has pledged to renegotiate the terms of a $3 billion IMF bailout secured last year to address Ghana’s debt restructuring.

Bawumia, on the other hand, has emphasized Ghana’s economic recovery, highlighting the 6.9% economic growth recorded in the second quarter of 2024. He argues that his administration would build on this progress.

As voting concluded, ballot counting began across the country, including in Accra’s historic Jamestown, where crowds gathered to witness election officials tally paper ballots.

The Electoral Commission of Ghana reported smooth operations, with over 99% of polling stations opening on time and receiving necessary materials as scheduled. Both Mahama and Bawumia noted that voting had been generally calm and peaceful.

Provisional results for parliamentary elections are expected by Sunday, while the presidential results are likely to be announced by Tuesday.

Ghana’s registered voters make up approximately 18.7 million of the nation’s 34 million population. The outcome of this election will shape Ghana’s efforts to stabilize its economy and rebuild trust in governance.