Ghana’s ruling political party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has officially named Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as its presidential candidate in the upcoming election scheduled for next year. This historic decision marks the first time a northerner and Muslim will represent the NPP since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992.
In his victory speech, Bawumia expressed his commitment to leading a unified and revitalized NPP into the election. With a decisive victory, securing 61.47% of the vote, Bawumia’s closest contender Kennedy Ohene Agyapong gracefully accepted the results.
The incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo, also a member of the NPP, will step down after the December 2024 elections, having served two terms in office.
The upcoming presidential election is anticipated to be a highly contested battle primarily between Mahamudu Bawumia and the former President John Mahama, who represents the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Notably, both candidates hail from the northern region, marking a significant milestone where both major parties have chosen northerners as their presidential flagbearers.
The NPP traditionally holds strong support in southern Ghana, while the north serves as a stronghold for the NDC. By selecting Bawumia, the NPP aims to expand their influence in the north while maintaining their stronghold in the south.
Bawumia, renowned for leading the government’s economic management team, faces an uphill battle in convincing voters to elect him and secure a third term in power for the NPP. Ghana currently grapples with its most severe economic crisis in decades, exacerbated by soaring government debt. To alleviate the crisis, Ghana recently obtained a $3 billion (£2.4 billion) loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Last year, the country experienced a record-high inflation rate of 54%, which has since dropped to approximately 38%. Furthermore, the government’s implementation of increased utility tariffs and new taxes has sparked widespread public discontent, leading to protests organized by opposition parties and youth groups.
Nonetheless, Bawumia conveyed an optimistic tone during his acceptance speech, stating, “We firmly believe that the NPP is the only party capable of transforming Ghana. As we approach 2024, the NPP will stand united and energized.”
