AS Ghana approaches its December 7 presidential election, the two leading candidates, John Dramani Mahama and Mahamudu Bawumia, have launched competing manifestos, each promising to steer the country out of its worst economic downturn in decades. With President Nana Akufo-Addo stepping down after serving two terms, the election will determine who will lead the West African nation next.
The main contenders
John Dramani Mahama, a former president representing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Mahamudu Bawumia, the current vice president from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), are the main contenders in this closely watched race. Ghana’s history of alternating power between parties adds to the intensity, as no party has ever secured more than two consecutive terms in office.
Economic struggles and promises
Ghana’s economy, heavily reliant on gold, oil, and cocoa, has faced significant challenges under Akufo-Addo’s administration. The country defaulted on much of its $30bn external debt in 2022 due to a combination of factors, including excessive borrowing, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and rising global interest rates. To stabilise the economy, the government sought assistance from the IMF and is currently restructuring its debt as part of a $3bn support package.
Both Mahama and Bawumia have pledged to restore economic stability and create jobs. Over the weekend, they outlined their policy proposals in a bid to win voters’ support.
Mahama’s vision
Mahama, who served as president from 2013 to 2017, promised to eliminate first-year university fees to boost access to tertiary education and pledged to cut taxes during his first three months in office. Speaking to supporters in Winneba, about 63 km west of the capital, Accra, he vowed to wage a ‘ruthless war against corruption’ and recover misappropriated assets. During his previous tenure, Mahama focused on infrastructure development but faced criticism over power shortages, economic instability, and allegations of state corruption. Although he was never directly accused, his administration faced scrutiny, which it denied.
Bawumia’s plan
Bawumia, an economist and former central banker, aims to simplify the tax system, reduce the number of ministers by nearly half, and cut public spending by 3 percent of GDP. At a press briefing in Accra, he outlined a plan to provide digital training for one million young people, emphasising job creation as a priority. Bawumia also addressed concerns about corruption, which critics say worsened under Akufo-Addo’s administration—a claim the government denies.
A northern showdown
Both candidates hail from northern Ghana, an area traditionally dominated by the NDC but where the NPP has gained ground in recent years. With the stakes high and the election predicted to be a tight race, Ghanaians are closely watching how these competing visions will resonate with voters across the country.
