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Dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation is pushing many young people to vote for the first time. According to the 2021 population census, Ghana has a population of 31 million, with 35% aged 0 to 14 years old and 38% young people between 15 and 35 years old
Ghana in recent years has been struggling with high debt, coupled with a weakened local currency. In November, inflation hit 23 per cent as it rose for the third month in a row.
Dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation is pushing many young people to vote for the first time. According to the 2021 population census, Ghana has a population of 31 million, with 35% aged 0 to 14 years old and 38% young people between 15 and 35 years old.
With 18.7 million registered voters, political parties are banking on the youth vote for a win. In this election, Ghana’s Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the incumbent New Patriotic Party is running against former President John Mahama, leader of the opposition, the National Democratic Congress. In their final campaign rallies on Thursday, both candidates pitched their parties as the answer to Ghana’s economic woes.
Bawumia, a former deputy governor of the central bank, promised to build on the outgoing administration’s efforts and stabilize the economy. Mahama, on the other hand, promised to reset the country on various fronts including institutionalizing democracy, fixing governance, economy, finances, agriculture, infrastructure, environment, health sector, etc. Both have based their campaign trail on
In addition to economic hardship, illegal gold mining — known locally as galamsey — is a major source of concern in Ghana, triggering protests in recent weeks. Ghana is Africa’s top gold producer, but illegal gold mining – which pollutes rivers and the environment – has spiked as people become more desperate for a better life.
A total of 12 candidates are running to become Ghana’s next president, but these elections have historically been a two-horse race – and this time is no different.
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Opinion polls have consistently predicted that the former president – John Dramani Mahama – will emerge as the frontrunner and take an outright victory. Despite Ghana’s legacy as a beacon of democracy in Africa, some fear election results could trigger unrest and even potential clashes.
