As the 2024 Ghana Elections Draw Near, Voters Express Uncertainty About the Major Candidates

Ghana is experiencing the worst economic and environmental crisis it has seen in years. The country’s inflation rate jumped to 21.5 percent in October from 22.1 percent in September. Meanwhile, the country’s dollar-to-cedis exchange rate has suffered an enormous blow. The country’s currency, which used to average 5 cedis to a dollar in 2019, now settles at 15 cedis to a dollar five years later. These concerns, and more, have made this race tight and pivotal.

Vice-PresidentDr. Mahamadu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party and former PresidentJohn Mahama of the New Democratic Congress are prominent candidates in the race, narrowing the options for voters. Yet, for many Ghanaians, these candidates are uninspiring alternatives that may suppress voter participation.

“I’m tempted to go out and vote, but I don’t think I will as I don’t believe there’s any party looking out for us in this country,” Moffatt says. “Voting will be a waste of time for me, but maybe if I cast my vote, it will count for something.”

Despite his reservations, 22-year-old content creator Fahim Saaka Dumba intends to vote in the coming election. “I have the opportunity to be part of the decision-making process in the country, as this is the first time I’ll be voting,” Dumba says. “If I don’t vote, I will put my decision-making in someone else’s hands.”

How the government has performed

On the one hand, some of the voters who contributed to this story express concern that Bawumia, being part of Akufo-Addo’s administration, may not change much in the country. Still, others highlight his track record in digitizing Ghana as a positive aspect. This includes initiatives like the launch of the Ghana Card, a centralized information system that has improved information tracking in the country, and the National Health Insurance app, among others. Still, many posit that despite his commendable track record while serving alongside Akufo-Addo, his administration is responsible for Ghana’s current socio-economic decline. The prices of everyday goods are rising rapidly, and issues such as excessive taxation and widespread corruption remain significant problems.

The galamsey threat

This year, alongside inflation and sporadic power supply, a pressing issue is the environmental impact of unregulated illegal mining, locally referred to as “galamsey.” This activity has devastated local communities, leading to significanthealth and economic consequences. Local economies are losing money, and the chemicals contaminating the water have been linked to birth deformities. Some voters say that whichever administration commits to addressing this issue could win back public support.

“The government’s handling of protests and the galamsey issue has been deeply concerning,” Jude Mills, a 23-year-old student, tells OkayAfrica. “The treatment of young activists who bravely stepped forward to raise awareness about the devastating impact of galamsey has been unjust. The way these events unfolded suggests a lack of transparency and fairness on the part of the police and judiciary.”

In September, young Ghanaians took to the streets in protest after the Ghana Water Corporation said it couldn’t provide sufficient water due to high turbidity levels. In response to the protests, police officers arrested protesters and bystanderswho were in the vicinity at the time. The arrested protesters were charged to court, and although they were released on bail, with some of their cases still ongoing, that action left a sour taste in the mouth of many Ghanaians towards the future of peaceful demonstrations in the country.

“Instead of supporting those who seek positive change, the authorities seem to be discouraging civic engagement through intimidation and suppression,” Mills says.

Regardless of which candidate emerges victorious, they will inherit a pressing problem that requires an urgent and decisive response — one that, according to voters, must prioritize Ghanaians. “My ideal candidate would be someone young, who is not afraid to tackle these issues head-on and communicates with the people,” Dumba says.

Yet, despite Ghanaians’ unanimous call for a people-centric approach as the country’s most urgent need, it remains uncertain whether either major candidate can truly deliver on that promise. “How do you know that the person you’re voting for isn’t just another person coming to play with your emotions just like the ones before?” Mills asks. “That is the dilemma.”

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Over the course of 2024, 20 African countries will be holding elections. For more election coverage, check out our Election Tracker.