Ghana is gearing up for its ninth general election since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992.
The country has seen three peaceful transfers of power between its two dominant political parties—the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)—with each holding the presidency for 16 years apiece.
As the NPP seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term, several pressing issues are shaping the electoral landscape
According to a report by the BBC,the global inflation surge that began in 2022 has significantly impacted Ghanaian households. Inflation peaked at 54.1% in December 2022 before easing, but prices for staples like eggs and tomatoes have more than doubled over the past year.
Although Ghana’s beloved Ga kenkey—fermented maize dumplings with fish—has not seen dramatic price hikes, the portions have notably shrunk. The World Bank reports that rising costs have pushed more people into poverty, further eroding living standards.
It noted that Ghana defaulted on its debt repayments in 2022, prompting prolonged negotiations with international lenders. Domestic banks also endured lower repayment terms. Despite these efforts, Ghana’s debt crisis persists, with the government dedicating over 70% of its revenue to servicing loans by 2022.
These financial difficulties have fueled debates about economic mismanagement, with the ruling government attributing the crisis to external factors, while critics blame poor governance.
Additionally it revealed that unemployment has surged in recent years, with one in seven Ghanaians currently jobless, compared to one in 20 two decades ago. Young people, who constitute over half the population, are disproportionately affected, with nearly 30% of those aged 15 to 24 unemployed. With this demographic representing a significant voting bloc, their perspectives are expected to influence the election outcome.
Ghana’s economy relies heavily on its natural resources, particularly gold, oil, gas, cocoa, and emerging minerals like lithium. While gold alone generated $5.2 billion in exports in 2023, debates over the environmental toll of small-scale and illegal mining have intensified. Despite these challenges, Ghana’s resource wealth has helped halve extreme poverty over the past three decades, it noted.
Over the last three decades, closely contested elections have demonstrated the strength of the country’s democratic institutions, with outcomes generally accepted by all parties.
As Ghanaians prepare to vote on December 7, the results are expected within three days, underscoring the nation’s commitment to democratic processes.
This election offers Ghanaians a pivotal opportunity to decide the future direction of their country amidst economic and social challenges.
Source : Joycelyn Marigold – Special News