In Ghana, the official list of candidates for the December 7 presidential election has now been released. Thirteen candidates—eleven men and two women—will be vying for the presidency.
The first name on the list is the current Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP). His candidacy reflects the continuity of the ruling party, which aims to remain in power amidst a challenging economic context. Bawumia, an economist by training, has played a significant role in Ghana's financial reforms and positions himself as the man of economic stability, a key argument to attract voters.
John Dramani Mahama, former president and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is also among the candidates. Having run in previous elections, Mahama hopes to return to power, promising social and economic reforms to tackle the rising poverty levels. He is viewed by a large portion of the electorate as a defender of the working class, contrasting with the more liberal policies of the NPP.
Other notable candidates include Alan Kyerematen, former Minister of Trade and a contender in the recent NPP primaries. Although he has left his government position, Kyerematen is running as an independent candidate, focusing his campaign on industrial diversification and improving youth employment. His candidacy could weaken the NPP’s electoral base by splitting the conservative vote.
Nana Kwame Bediako, a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist, is also joining the presidential race. His candidacy, though unexpected, capitalizes on his image as a successful businessman, with a pragmatic approach to revitalizing Ghana’s economy. His message particularly resonates with the youth and entrepreneurs, a growing demographic that is playing an increasingly central role in Ghanaian politics.
Mussa Dankwah, from the research group Global Info Analytics, stated that the list of qualified candidates for this presidential election is the longest in Ghana’s history. This diversity reflects both the increasing interest in the presidency and the plurality of visions for the country’s future. This context could make the outcome of the election especially unpredictable.
The Electoral Commission, responsible for overseeing the process, disqualified eleven other candidates due to errors in their nomination forms. Some of these candidates have decided to challenge the decision in court, arguing that the disqualifications were arbitrary and undermined the transparency of the election. These legal disputes could delay some aspects of the electoral process, but the commission assures that everything will be ready for election day.
The presidential election, scheduled for December 7, 2024, will be crucial for Ghana’s future. Voters will have to choose between continuity and change in a climate marked by major economic challenges such as inflation, public debt, and the fight against poverty. Geopolitical tensions in the region and global crises also add extra pressure on the candidates, who must convince Ghanaians of their ability to stabilize the country.
