Ghana goes to the polls on 7 December 2024 for the ninth time since the coming into force of the 1992 constitution of the Republic to elect the one who will succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Many analysts and political watchers have talked about how crucial the elections are.

In the words of the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Election Observers, Albert Arhin, ‘‘…. We have to be careful because the stakes are high’’. Even though there are several political parties and movements in the country, only two of them —the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC)– have won elections under the Fourth Republic.

Since Ghana is not new to elections and peaceful ones at that, what makes this general election crucial as claimed by various political analysts and experts? Here are some interesting facts about the 2024 elections.

Two Northerners compete

This is the first time under the 4th Republic that two sons of the North go head-to-head in a general election. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate was born on 7 October 1963 in Tamale to the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, and Hajia Mariama Bawumia.

He hails from Walewale in the North East region which hitherto the regional reorganization in 2018, was part of the Northern Region which has now been divided into three regions. John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was born in Damongo, the then capital of the West Gonja District of the Northern Region. He was elected to Parliament to represent Bole-Bamboi for 3 consecutive terms. Indeed, the Overlord of Dagbon has on several occasions urged the two political leaders to see themselves as brothers and run an issue-based campaign devoid of political acrimony. It is evident that regardless of who wins the 2024 elections, the title ‘President’ will be going to the North.

Served as Vice Presidents

John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory chose John Mahama to be his running mate for the 2008 election. The NDC won the election that year and John Mahama assumed the role of vice president on 7 January 2009 assisting then-President John Evans Atta Mills. Atta Mills however died in July 2012 and Mahama assumed the role of President of the Republic of Ghana.

Unlike John Mahama who was vice president for almost 4 years, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has served as vice president for two terms under the Akufo-Addo government. He was selected as Akufo-Addo’s vice presidential candidate in August 2008, but the NPP lost the election that year. He was retained as the running mate in 2012 and the party lost again. He became vice president in 2017 after the NPP won the 2016 general election.

First-timer versus fourth-timer

John Mahama contested the 2012 elections and won. He was however kicked out of office after the 2016 elections which saw the then-candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo win power with over 1 million votes.

Despite what many called a humiliating defeat, John Mahama returned to the ballot paper in 2020 and lost again and is making another appearance in the 2024 general election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
This is the fourth presidential election he is contesting in. He faces off with Dr Mahamadu Bawumia who for the first time is a presidential candidate after emerging winner of the NPP presidential primary on 4 November 2023.

The faith factor

It is an undeniable fact that religious persuasion and ethnicity play a crucial role in the voting pattern of the electorate in Ghana. However, the 2024 poll is the first under the 4th Republic to have a Muslim—Bawumia – contest and on the ticket of the NPP, going against a Christian, John Mahama — born and raised Presbyterian but now a member of the Assemblies of God, Ghana by marriage.

Both Bawumia and Mahama are not entirely new to each other’s religion. Bawumia has fondly revealed he was an active member of the Methodist Boys’ Brigade as a young boy. His faith changed after his mother, then known as Susana Mariama and a Methodist, converted to Islam which her husband practiced. John Mahama is also known to come from a multi-faith family, consisting of Christians and Muslims.

Running mates and education ministry

Arguably, one of the sectors that will receive attention in the lead-up to the 2024 general election is Education. The Free SHS policy which is a flagship policy of the Akufo-Addo-led government was implemented under then-education minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh who is now the running mate of Dr Bawumia. He was interestingly preceded by John Mahama’s running mate Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang. Both of them served for four years in the education ministry. The two are expected to battle it out based on their performances as education ministers.

NPP and NDC in power for 16 years each

The NPP and NDC are the two beneficiaries of elections under the 4th Republic. Both parties have had 16 years each in power. Jerry John Rawlings who assumed office in 1993 after transitioning to a democratic rule, governed for 8 years and handed over power to John Agyekum Kufuor who also completed two terms.
The NDC returned to power again in 2009 with John Evans Atta Mills. Even though he passed on months before the 2012 elections, his vice, John Mahama took office and went ahead to win the 2012 election.

Despite an attempt to stay in power to complete his two terms, he lost the 2016 election ushering the NPP to government again with Nana Akufo-Addo leading the pack. He will end his 2nd term on 7 January 2025. Both parties have therefore had 16 years each in power. Whoever wins the 2024 election will put the party a term ahead of the other.

In conclusion, several other factors make this year’s polls different and special. But I consider the issues I have raised a few interesting developments worthy of note. Undeniably, the most important feature is the fact that Ghana has enjoyed peaceful elections throughout the years and hopefully, the 2024 presidential and parliamentary polls will be no different.

With the NPP hoping to break the 8-year rule jinx and the NDC’s quest to regain power, the stage is set for one of the most crucial elections the country is about to witness under the 4th Republican constitution.