Who is the vice-president and former central banker Mahamudu Bawumia or the former opposition president John Mahama? Ghanaians began voting on Saturday morning for a presidential election, coupled with legislative elections, which promises to be close.
The economic situation of the country was at the heart of the debates of the presidential campaign, in Ghana where the voting began. Africa’s largest gold producer, slowly emerging from a crisis that required a three billion dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country must designate a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down after the two mandates authorized by law, as well as the new parliament.
The polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. (local and GMT), according to AFP journalists on site, and will close at 5:00 p.m., with results expected by Tuesday for the presidential election.
« We want to vote for change, because the economic situation is very difficult“, James Nsiah, a retired police officer, told AFP while waiting to cast his ballot at a polling station in the capital Accra.
The government temporarily closed all land borders Friday evening until Sunday to “ ensure integrity » of the vote, according to a press release from the Ministry of the Interior.
In this country considered a model of stability in a region shaken by recent coups, the two main parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have alternated in power almost equally since 1992.
With his campaign slogan “ Break the 8 (“Breaking the 8”, referring to the incumbent president’s two-four-year term limit), NPP candidate Mahamudu Bawumia hopes to give his party a third consecutive term in power, which would be unprecedented.
The former deputy governor of the Central Bank has tried to shield himself from criticism of Nana Akufo-Addo’s management of the economy, although he was the head of his economic management team.
A UK-trained economist, he emphasizes the need to turn around the economy and continue the government’s plans for digitalization, free education and health programs.
– “Very tight” –
-In recent months, inflation has fallen from 54% to around 23%, and other economic indicators have stabilized. But many Ghanaians remain concerned about the cost of living and unemployment.
Concerns about the economy could tip the balance in favor of opponent John Mahama, already president from 2012 to 2017 and candidate for the third time in the presidential election.
NDC candidate says he will “reset” Ghana and introduce a “ 24 hour saving“, by extending the opening hours of industries to create jobs and increase production.
Some analysts say he could take advantage of voters’ dismay over the NPP’s economic performance, but the former president also faces criticism from those who remember massive power cuts during his tenure.
The two main candidates are from northern Ghana, traditionally a stronghold of the NDC, but today more fragmented, making it a key region for the vote.
“The campaign was very intense for both parties« , et « this year’s elections are very close“, underlines Tutu Boahen, a Ghanaian political communications advisor.
In addition to the cost of living, the economic and ecological damage caused by illegal gold mining has also become a major electoral issue. The outgoing president’s government had promised to eradicate this problem, but it has increased with the rise in gold prices.
Ghana also remains, like its border neighbors Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast, facing increasing risks of violent outbursts due to jihadist conflicts in the north of the country, in Burkina Faso and Niger.
TE/Sf/APA with AFP
