Ghana’s Presidential Election 2024: A Shift Towards Accountability and Growth

Reports by Baba Yunus Muhammad

Ghana’s 2024 presidential election was a defining moment in the nation’s political and economic history, culminating in a resounding victory for former president John Dramani Mahama. This election was not merely about electing a new leader; it represented a collective yearning for accountability, transparency, and a fresh economic vision. Mahama’s triumph with 56.55% of the popular vote against Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who scored 41.61 percent of the popular vote underscores the electorate’s demand for substantial change after years of economic hardship under the outgoing administration.

The Socioeconomic Context Behind the Elections

The backdrop to this pivotal election was a nation grappling with one of its worst economic crises in recent history. Ghana, once hailed as a beacon of African economic stability, had become mired in hyperinflation, which at its peak soared above 40%. The depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against major currencies triggered a spiraling cost of living crisis, leaving citizens struggling to afford basic necessities. Additionally, unemployment levels reached unprecedented highs, with the youth disproportionately affected. Read more>>