Ghana prepares for crucial general elections amid economic hardships
As Ghana prepares for its presidential election on 7 December, over 18 million registered voters are poised to make their voices heard amid significant economic challenges. Citizens from all 16 regions of the West African nation wide range of views to RFI on the pressing issues that will shape their voting decisions.
The election comes at a time when Ghanaians are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, driven by soaring inflation and economic instability. Key topics influencing the electorate include job creation, education, and infrastructure development, as voters seek solutions to the hardships they face in their daily lives.
A total of 18,774,159 registered voters, including 459,291 first-time voters, are expected to elect a president and 276 legislators at 40,976 polling stations.
Henrietta Sarpong, a researcher at the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), emphasized the importance of addressing education, employment, and healthcare as the primary concerns for voters ahead of the 2024 elections.
During the launch of its General Election research report titled “Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter,” Sarpong said: “Many voters are particularly focused on issues surrounding the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, while younger voters are increasingly concerned about employment opportunities.”
Voters Opinion
Voters, particularly first-time voters, hold differing opinions about the criteria they will use to decide in the upcoming December elections.
A recent graduate from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Akua Yeboah, shared her thoughts as a first-time voter: “I will vote for a presidential candidate who has a good policy to create jobs for the youth like myself and other unemployed youth.”
In Cape Coast, Gifty Ghartey, a resident of the Central Region, for her part, outlined her priorities: “I will consider the economy, jobs, good roads, the health sector, and even the condition of our water bodies before voting. I believe there must be meaningful change after the election.”
Richard Adu, a teacher, stressed the need for integrity. “I will look at the candidate’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures as crucial. I have carefully evaluated each candidate’s stance on key issues such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development,” he said.
For Daniel Twumasi Kankam, a community leader from Koforidua in the Eastern Region, past performance is the most important thing. “I will vote based on the records of the various political parties over the past 16 years. Specifically, I will consider human empowerment programmes and policies introduced by both parties that have aimed to ease the burdens on citizens and promote empowerment,” he told RFI.
Cost of living
At a bustling market in Kaneshie, a suburb of Accra, traders are quick to express disappointment with the economy.
“The price of onions has tripled, and customers just walk by without buying,” said Ama Asante, a vegetable seller.
Daniel Amateye Anim-Prempeh, an economist at Policy Initiative for Economic Development, said inflation was still having an impact on voters.
“The high cost of goods and services continues to burden households. Voters will factor this into their decisions,” he said.
Bawumia has highlighted improvements in macroeconomic stability, pointing to a rebound in growth to 5.8 percent in the first half of 2024.
“Ghana’s economy has come back to life after years of difficulty,” Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam told NPP supporters on the campaign trail.
But critics argue Bawumia’s policies lack innovation, dismissing them as repackaged old policies.
Mahama has pledged to renegotiate aspects of the IMF deal to free up resources for development, emphasizing youth employment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“We cannot continue with business as usual,” Mahama said at a rally in the northern city of Tamale.
Recovery is still underway. Debt-to-GDP ratios remain at 84 percent, with the IMF projecting a reduction to 55 percent by 2028.
Growth is forecast at a modest 3.4 percent in 2024, and unemployment remains high.
For many Ghanaians, Saturday’s ballot is a test in the electorate’s faith in the system.
“I’ll vote for whoever can make life better,” market trader Serwaa said. “We’ve suffered enough.”
(RFI with AFP)
