Ghana is heading to the polls tomorrow Saturday 7th December 2024 to elect a new president. Over 18 million registered voters are expected to cast their votes. Ghana’s Electoral Commission approved 13 presidential candidates, each offering distinct political visions and solutions for the country’s challenges in the race for who becomes the First Gentleman of the Black Star of Africa. Also in the same elections, Ghanaians will be voting for 276 Parliamentary candidates.
Let us take a brief look at the contestants for tomorrow’s elections:
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Bawumia is making his first bid for the presidency under the ruling party New Patriotic Party NPP. More known for his economic acumen, he has spearheaded Ghana’s digital transformation, introducing several technological innovations to improve public service delivery.
- John Dramani Mahama – National Democratic Congress (NDC)
John Dramani Mahama served as the president of Ghana from 2012–2016. His major political journey began in 1996 when he was elected as a lawmaker for Bole-Bamboi, a constituency in the Savanah Region of Northern Ghana. He seeks to be voted back into the Presidential office for the second time.
- Alan Kyerematen – Independent candidate (Movement for Change M4C)
Alan Kyerematen was once a leading member and figure in the ruling party NPP, but is now running as an independent candidate this year.
- Nana Kwame Bediako – Independent candidate (The New Force)
Nana Kwame Bediako, a real estate mogul, is running as an independent candidate under his movement – The New Force. Known for his success in transforming Ghana’s skyline with luxury developments, Bediako’s vision extends beyond real estate, focusing on industrialization, youth empowerment, and job creation.
- Christian Kwabena Andrews (Osofo Kyiri Abosom) – Ghana Union Movement (GUM)
Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, is the leader of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM). A religious leader and politician, he launched his political career in 2019, positioning himself as an advocate for the working class.
- Hassan Ayariga – All People’s Congress (APC)
Hassan Ayariga, a businessman turned politician, has been a fixture in Ghanaian politics for over a decade. He founded the APC after breaking away from the People’s National Convention (PNC) and ran for president in 2016.
- Kofi Akpaloo – Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG)
Percival Kofi Akpaloo leads the Liberal Party of Ghana LPG, a party that focuses on economic liberalization. Akpaloo’s platform is centred around creating more opportunities for private-sector growth, particularly through entrepreneurship and youth employment.
- Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Kumankumah – Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Kumankumah is the chairperson of the CPP, the party founded by Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. A passionate advocate for social welfare and women’s rights, she represents a return to the Nkrumaist ideology.
- Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr – Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP)
Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr is the flagbearer of the GCPP and an advocate of “domestication” – an economic policy aimed at self-reliance and local production. Very little known but present in Ghana’s presidential race, he champions economic independence from foreign aid and advocates for local industries to drive growth.
- Mohammed Frimpong – National Democratic Party (NDP)
Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong is an economist and long-time political activist., leads the NDP, a party founded by former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings. His platform focuses on decentralization, economic reform, and social justice.
- Kofi Koranteng – Independent candidate
Kofi Koranteng is an independent candidate with a background in business and human rights advocacy. He has been active in addressing housing issues for Ghanaians living abroad and is running on a platform of anti-corruption, government transparency, and youth empowerment.
- Philip Kwabena Agyemang – Ghana Freedom Party (GFP)
Broadcast journalist Philip Kwabena Agyemang replaces Akua Donkor as the presidential candidate for the Ghana Freedom Party. He is popularly known in close circles as “Roman Fada”, and he is taking over from Akua Donkor as the new presidential candidate for the Ghana Freedom Party following the demise of the latter who was also the founder of the party.
- George Twum-Barimah-Adu – Independent candidate
George Twum-Barimah-Adu, a relatively unknown figure in Ghanaian politics, brings a background in academia and entrepreneurship. His platform focuses on educational reform, sustainable agriculture, and youth development. Twum-Barimah-Adu’s candidacy represents a fresh perspective in the crowded political field.
As Ghana heads to the polls, we hope for free, fair, and transparent elections. And that the Great Black Star of Africa finally gets a leader to take her to a better and greater future.
Ghana goes to the Polls
December 2024
