Ghana’s Presidential Race: Mahama and Bawumia Make Final Appeals Ahead of Crucial Election

Ghana, a beacon of democracy in West Africa, is poised for another test of its democratic tradition as citizens head to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and members of parliament. With the country grappling with its most severe economic crisis in decades, the stakes are higher than ever.

The Contenders: Mahama vs. Bawumia

The presidential race has narrowed to two main contenders: former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mahama, who served as president from 2013 to 2017, is making his third bid for the presidency. He has framed this election as a “reset” for Ghana, promising good governance, accountability, and bold economic reforms.

Bawumia, an economist and former central banker, hopes to extend the NPP’s hold on power, emphasising continuity and economic recovery through digital innovation.

Campaign Messages

Speaking to supporters in Accra’s Madina neighborhood, Mahama described the election as a pivotal moment for Ghana’s future.

“This election is not just another election. It’s a defining moment for our nation,” he said.

He has leveraged Ghana’s economic hardships to criticize the ruling NPP, framing Bawumia as a central figure in the policies that led to the crisis. Mahama has also vowed to tackle unemployment, ban illegal mining, and implement a 24-hour economy to create jobs.

Meanwhile, Bawumia rallied supporters at the University of Ghana, touting the NPP’s track record of stabilising the economy, creating jobs, and resolving power outages that plagued Mahama’s tenure.

“We’ve created more jobs than him. We’ve kept the lights on,” Bawumia said, referring to the debilitating power cuts during Mahama’s presidency.

Bawumia’s campaign has also emphasized digital innovation, promising to equip one million youth with digital skills to address unemployment and modernize the economy.

Economic Hardships Take Center Stage

Ghana’s economic challenges dominate this election. The country has faced spiraling inflation, a depreciating currency, mounting debt, and unemployment. Inflation peaked at 54.1% in 2022 but has since declined to 23%. However, the economic hardships have left many Ghanaians disillusioned.

“If the economy had gone well, I don’t think the opposition would have stood any chance,” said economist Godfred Bokpin, noting Bawumia’s central role in the government’s economic policies.

The crisis has also reignited frustrations over illegal gold mining, or “galamsey,” which has caused environmental degradation and polluted major rivers, further impacting livelihoods.

Voter Sentiment

Many voters express dissatisfaction with both candidates.

Abdullai Jamal, a resident of Savelugu Municipality, criticized politicians for neglecting rural communities.

“Anyone who promises to connect us [to electricity] ignores us after winning the elections,” he said.

However, others remain hopeful. Kofi Ayensu, a 39-year-old supporter of the NPP, praised the government’s free high school policy and pledged to vote for Bawumia.

Election Logistics and Peace Pact

The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured Ghanaians of a transparent and credible election, despite criticism over logistical issues and recent policy changes that limited media monitoring of vote collation.

“We would continue to apply transparency, responsiveness, and inclusiveness in all our activities,” said EC chairperson Jean Mensa.

All 275 parliamentary seats are also up for grabs, with over 40,000 polling centers ready to accommodate more than 18 million registered voters.

Both candidates have signed a peace pact, pledging to accept the results and ensure a peaceful process.

“I pledge my personal commitment and that of my party to the sustenance of Ghana’s peace,” Mahama said during the signing ceremony.

Bawumia echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Ghana’s democratic tradition.

“The stakes are always high, but we have never turned our backs on democracy because that is the path we have chosen for ourselves,” he said.

What’s at Stake

Ghana’s next president faces the monumental task of steering the country out of its economic crisis while addressing pressing social issues, including unemployment and environmental degradation. Both Mahama and Bawumia offer starkly different visions for Ghana’s future.

Observers expect a closely fought contest between the two frontrunners, but Ghana’s reputation for peaceful transitions offers hope for a stable outcome.

As Ghanaians prepare to cast their votes, the nation once again stands at a crossroads, ready to demonstrate its enduring commitment to democracy.