Ghana’s 2024 general elections are two days away, set for December 7th, 2024 but special voting has already ended for those who won’t be able to vote on the day. 

This election is highly competitive. Nana Akufo-Addo’s eight-year tenure is ending, and his party, the NPP, backs Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as their candidate.

Though Bawumia is a strong contender, his campaign faces challenges. Protests under his party’s leadership, corruption scandals involving ministers, and unmet promises like building dams and industries impact his chances. 

Adding to the pressure, his main opponent, John Dramani Mahama, previously served as Ghana’s president between 2012 to 2016. Mahama’s record has prompted voters to compare the two governments closely. 

With both candidates experienced in governing, many Ghanaians eagerly await to see who will win this critical election. 

How Research Has Projected the 2024 Ghana Presidential Election Result? 

Throughout the year, research organizations have predicted the likely winner of Ghana’s 2024 elections.

Global Info Analytics predicts the opposition leader Mahama will win with 52.2 % of the vote,  while Bawumia secures 41.4% of the votes. The poll has a margin error of 1.9%. 

Fitch Solutions and Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) also forecast Mahama’s victory. Fitch Solutions suggests the ruling party is unlikely to retain power, with Mahama expected to dominate swing regions with nearly 48% against Bawumia’s 29%.

Outcomes International offers a different view, predicting Bawumia will win. Their report claims Bawumia will win 11 of the 16 regions, while Mahama takes 5. They forecast a close race, with Bawumia receiving 49.9% votes and Mahama 45.1%. 

Similarly, private researcher Professor Smart Sarpong predicts Bawumia will win, projecting 49.1% for NPP and 45.8% for NDC. Most of the researchers agree voters focused on the economy, unemployment, education, and infrastructure.

While most of the findings lean toward an NDC victory, the question remains: do these predictions reflect the true sentiments of Ghanaians? 

Mahama (L) and Bawumia (R)

Do Most Ghanaians Really Want the Current Government Out? 

This year’s major events, from anti-galamsey protests and arrests to economic struggles, have shaped the views of many Ghanaians, particularly the youth. 

Some are eager for change, feeling disappointed and betrayed by the current government. Some names mentioned have been changed or partially concealed upon request to protect the individual’s privacy. 

Klutse, a 25 year old researcher and business operator, believes the government has failed Ghanaians.

“They are silent on very important issues and keep lying to our faces. Personally I have lost trust in them. I hope Ghanaians make the choice to vote them out,” she said. 

Eduaful, a 24 year old business owner, is frustrated with the growing tax burden on individuals and businesses. 

“How can you rule the country for eight good years, create more taxes for businesses and yet we are borrowing large sums of money to make the economy better? So then what is the essence of the taxes?”

He is also upset about the unstable dollar rate. 

“Personally, they haven’t handled the economy very well because as at now, the dollar shouldn’t even be fluctuating uncontrollably. I think the current government should move aside so a new government can offer us something better,” he said. 

Mawuena Mensah, a 27 year old economist, feels deceived by the ruling party. “In the beginning of their tenure, the hope for change was looming large. But now, it is a total let down. I hope they lose this election for a capable government to take over,” he said. 

Rahinatu, a young mother, is disappointed with the rising costs and the state of free education. 

“The dollar has gone from 4 cedis to 17 cedis since the NPP started ruling. Free education isn’t free because of the extra costs of school items and private classes during long breaks. I know the NDC will bring us new hope,” she said. 

Alhassan, a 24 year old data analyst, criticised the current government’s failure to address the country’s unemployment crisis. 

“I hope the next government tackles these important issues to make our lives comfortable as it is causing most people to flee the country and go abroad,” she said. 

Others remain indifferent, doubting any party can bring meaningful change.

Ofori-Ayeh, 24, feels let down by the current government but does not trust the opposition either.

“I am very disappointed in the ruling party because I had hope in them. To be honest, I don’t know who I want to win because I don’t think Mahama is the best,” he said. 

Kankam, a 27 year old administrative assistant, shares a similar view. Despite corruption scandals under the current administration, he doubts other parties can deliver real change. 

“We have all felt the effects of the bad state of the economy one way or the other. I feel like whoever will win will do so by a smaller margin. This is because we have witnessed Mahama’s government before and there’s not much of a difference between them,” he said. 

Kojo Mensah, a 24 year old IT professional, voiced his disappointment in the current government but showed little enthusiasm for the candidates.

“Voting this year as a non-partisan is going to be very hard. None of the candidates have presented manifestos surrounding major problems we have in the country,” he also shared.

Ghanaians, especially the youth, feel the weight of this election, seeing it a major factor in shaping their future. Some may have lost hope, but others believe there’s still a chance for positive change in the government.  

Who Are the Candidates in Ghana’s 2024 Parliamentary Elections? 

Twelve candidates are vying for Presidency in Ghana’s 2024 General elections. Here they are: 

1. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Bawumia, the NPP candidate, aims to transition from Vice President to President after serving under President Akufo-Addo for eight years. He is the first Muslim to lead a major political party in Ghana since 1992 and the first person who is not an Akan to lead the NPP. 

2. John Dramani Mahama

Representing the NDC, Mahama is the main opposition candidate. He served as Vice President to the late president John Evans Atta Mills and became President after Mills’ sudden death. Mahama won the 2012 election but lost to Akufo-Addo in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

3.Alan Kyerematen

Kyerematen, former Finance and Trade Minister under the NPP, now leads the Movement for Change party. He served under Akufo-Addo from 2017 to 2023. Kyerematen was expected to take over after Akuffo Addo and become the flagbearer of the NPP. However, after finishing third in the NPP first primaries, he resigned. He cited the lack of appreciation for his contributions in the party. He is now running as an independent candidate.

4. Nana Kwame Bediako

Bediako, running under the New Force Party, launched his campaign as a mysterious mask figure promoting youth empowerment. For months, billboards were hung all over the country showing a masked face. Later, in a press conference, Bediako revealed himself as the man behind the mask. 

Bediako has a background  in infrastructure development, creating over 700 homes and employing 3,000 people. He promises to establish industries across the 16 regions of Ghana and limit his cabinet to 12 ministers. 

5. Daniel Augustus Lartey Jr.

Lartey Jr is the presidential candidate for the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP). His father, Daniel Augustus Lartey Sr., was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2000 elections when it was known as the Great Consolidated Popular Party. 

6. Christian Kwabena Andrews

Andrews, who is also known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, is the presidential candidate for the Ghana Union Movement (GUM). He describes himself as the new Kwame Nkrumah and vows to end the dominance of the NPP or NDC. Since 2000, no other party has won Ghana’s elections and he pledges to break. 

7. Kofi Akpaloo

Akpaloo is the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG). In 2011, he founded the Independent People’s Party (IPP) and contested in the 2012 elections but won no seats. Disqualified from the 2016 elections by the Electoral Commission, Akpaloo challenged the decision in court but lost. In March 2017, the IPP was dissolved and LPG was born with Akpaloo as its flagbearer. 

8. Mohammed Frimpong

Mohammed Frimpong is the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Party (NDP). The party was founded in 2012 by Nana Konadu Agyemang, a former first lady and wife of the late president Jerry John Rawlings. The NDP emerged as a breakaway faction from the NDC, with Frimpong leading its efforts today. 

9. Nana Akosua Frimpomaa

Frimpomaa is the flagbearer for the Convention People’s Party (CPP). She has a strong background in business management and community development. She pioneered Ghana’s first youth parliament, launching the “Cleaning Ghana for Computers” initiative. 

10. Hassan Ayariga

Ayariga is the presidential candidate for the All Peoples Congress (APC). His father, Franklin Ayariga served as a member of Parliament for Bawku during the third republic under Dr. Hilla Limann. His mother, Annatu Ayariga was passionate about the education of children in the Northern part of Ghana. Ayariga grew up in Accra and Bawku before moving to Nigeria when his parents went into exile after the overthrow of the Limann administration.

11. Kofi Koranteng

Koranteng is an independent candidate. He believes in the promise of an independent Ghana. Koranteng also advocates for enabling Ghanaians abroad to vote without having to return home.  

12. George Twum Barima-Adu

Barima-Adu is an independent candidate, who is also known as Uncle George. He is the nephew of the late Kwaku Boateng Esq, a former government minister under Dr. Knwame Nkrumah. He is committed to ending the dominance of NPP and NDC in the country.