Ghana is holding presidential and parliamentary elections today, with 12 candidates vying for the top spot.
The election comes at a critical time for the West African nation, which has been struggling with its worst financial crisis in a generation.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after completing his constitutional term limits, and the race is seen as primarily between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama.
Bawumia, the chosen successor of Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), has highlighted Ghana’s gradual recovery from the crisis, with economic growth surging by 6.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024.
He has promised to simplify the tax system, halve the number of government ministers, and cut public spending by 3% of GDP if elected.
On the other hand, Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2016, has framed Bawumia as representing a continuation of policies that led to Ghana’s economic woes.
He has promised to renegotiate terms of a $3 billion IMF bailout secured last year to restructure the country’s debts.
Polling stations opened at 0700 GMT and are expected to close at 1700 GMT, with some provisional legislative results expected by Saturday night and Sunday, and the presidential outcome expected by Tuesday The election is seen as a crucial test for Ghana’s economic revival and political stability.
