Ghana’s upcoming presidential election on 7 December 2024 signifies an important juncture, with eight candidates offering diverse visions for the country.
This is no ordinary election; it will be a referendum on Ghana’s economic resilience, the strength of its democracy, and its ability to govern with transformative leadership. We get to highlight the presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential elections; now let’s get right into it.
Front-runners
Mahamudu Bawumia (NPP): The Historic Candidacy
Mahamudu Bawumia comes from an economics and banking background. He was a deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana until he was nominated as the vice-presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2008.
He also ran as the vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party in Ghana’s 2012 general elections and was the lead witness for the petitioners in the 2012/2013 Presidential Election Petition, which challenged the declaration of John Mahama as the winner of Ghana’s 2012 Presidential
It is a historic moment for Ghanaian politics, and Bawumia embodies it. His candidacy reflects the nation’s religious diversity and potential for inclusion at the highest levels of leadership as the first Muslim candidate with a plausible path to the presidency.
But his story is complicated by large-scale economic problems during his years as vice president. Inflation, currency falls, and economic instability have made for headwinds to his presidential aspirations.
John Mahama (NDC): The Comeback Strategist
John Dramani Mahama served as President of Ghana from 24 July 2012 to 7 January 2017. He previously served as Vice President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012 and took office as president on 24 July 2012, following the death of his predecessor, John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills.
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he was a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi from 1997 to 2009 and served as Deputy Minister for Communication between 1997 and 1998 before becoming the substantive Minister for Communications in 1998.
Mahama is the first vice president to take over the presidency from the death of his predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills, and is the first head of state of Ghana to have been born after Ghana’s independence.
He was elected after the December 2012 election to serve as full-time president. He contested re-election for a second term in the 2016 election but lost to the New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016. This made him the first president in the history of Ghana to not have won a second term.
Mahama’s reemergence in the presidential election highlights Ghana’s vibrant politics. His bid highlights past accomplishments while admitting to past failures, promising voters a story of learned lessons and rededicated potential.
Emerging Challengers and Alternative Voices
Alan Kyerematen (Independent): The Reformist
Alan Kyerematen was Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry from 2017 to 2023. He was also Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States from 2001 to 2003 and later as Minister of Trade and Industry, Private Sector Development (PSD), and Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) during John Kufuor’s administration.
He has served as a trade advisor at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he coordinated the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC).
In September 2023, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen parted ways with the New Patriotic Party after losing the party’s flagbearership race.
Mr. Kyerematen’s decision to run as an independent candidate after leaving the NPP reflects the growing frustration with traditional party politics. His campaign targets voters disillusioned with established political structures, promising a fresh approach to governance and economic management.
Nana Kwame Bediako (Independent): The Young Entrepreneurial Vision
He is the founder and chairman of Kwarleyz Group, focused on real estate, finance, and property management in West Africa. Mr. Bediako is the developer of Wonda World Estate and the proposed Petronia City.
He is the founder of the New Africa Foundation, focusing on less fortunate children, providing medical, nutritional, and educational support. He is contesting as an independent presidential candidate in 2024.
Bringing a completely different perspective, Nana Kwame Bediako represents a new breed of political aspirant. With no prior political experience, he’s using his business background to appeal to younger voters. His message of hope and prosperity resonates with a generation seeking economic opportunities and transformative leadership.
Smaller Parties and Diverse Representations
Hassan Ayariga (APC):
The persistent challenger Hassan Ayariga represents the All People’s Congress (APC) with remarkable persistence in Ghana’s political landscape.
Hassan Ayariga, the founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), is a well-known figure in Ghana’s political arena.
Since 2012, he has consistently contested every presidential election, remaining resolute in his mission to challenge the dominance of Ghana’s two-party political system. Despite his slim chances, Ayariga remains optimistic about achieving a breakthrough in 2024.
Nana Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah (CPP)
Nana Frimpomaa’s career began with her role as National Organizer for the 31st December Women’s Movement, a pioneering group that championed women’s rights in Ghana.
On September 12, 2024, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah filed her nomination to contest the 2024 general elections after winning the flagbearership of her party, the CPP. She was subsequently cleared by the Electoral Commission to contest presidential polls alongside 12 other candidates.
Following the death of the Ghana Freedom Party’s candidate, Akosua Kumankuma became the only female president in the 2024 presidential race among a crowded field of men.
Reviving Historical Legacy Running for the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Madfam Kumankumah carries the weight of a profound political heritage. Her candidacy is an attempt to breathe new life into a party with deep historical significance, reminding Ghanaians of their revolutionary roots.
Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM)
Christian Kwabena Andrews, also known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, is a Ghanaian priest and politician. Andrews launched the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) in March 2019.
During the event, he called himself the new Kwame Nkrumah and declared that the “spirit of Nkrumah has returned.” He hoped to be able to break the duopoly between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party, which had dominated Ghana during the Fourth Republic.
Social Justice Advocate As the Ghana Union Movement’s presidential candidate, Andrews brings a focused agenda of social justice and economic restructuring.
His campaign represents a critical voice challenging the established political paradigms, offering alternative perspectives on governance and national development.
Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr (GCPP)
Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr is the flagbearer of the Great Consolidated People’s Party.
He is the son of Daniel Augustus Lartey, the 2000 presidential candidate of the Great Consolidated Popular Party.
Dr. Lartey promised to put self-reliance first by putting policies in place to increase domestic production and agriculture. He also pledged to give farmers access to credit, resources, and the tools they need.
His background as a politician and businessman served as the foundation for Dr. Lartey’s dedication to domestication.
Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG)
In 2011, Kofi Akpaloo established the Independent People’s Party (IPP). He led the party when it ran in the general election in Ghana in 2012, but it did not win any seats.
He unsuccessfully challenged the Electoral Commission of Ghana’s decision to disqualify him from running as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2016 Ghana general election. On 1 March 2017, Akpaloo announced that the Independent People’s Party was being replaced by the Liberal Party of Ghana.
Despite all odds, he is confident in winning the 2024 election.
Mohammed Frimpong (NDP)
The National Democratic Party’s (NDP) flagbearer is Mohammed Frimpong.
Former Ghanaian first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang, who was married to former president Jerry John Rawlings, founded the party in 2012.
In his vision for Ghana, National Democratic Party (NDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong has placed a strong emphasis on participatory governance and grassroots empowerment.
Mohammed Frimpong led the National Democratic Party when it split from the National Democratic Congress.
Kofi Koranteng (independent)
High-energy and driven, Kofi Koranteng strives for perfection in all that he does. He is a strong believer in human power. His goal is to inspire, educate, and motivate others to succeed in everything he does.
He’s an entrepreneur who knows how good business choices and investments result in profitable endeavours.
Disappointed by the individuals who have seized control of Ghana’s government for their own benefit, Kofi has voiced his disapproval and fought them to act in the best interests of Ghanaians.
Economic Context and Electoral Dynamics
The 2024 election occurs against a backdrop of significant economic challenges. Ghana has been grappling with high inflation, currency instability, and debt pressures. This economic context makes the election particularly consequential, with voters looking for candidates who can offer credible solutions to these pressing issues.
The Significance of Diversity
What makes this election remarkable is the diversity of candidates. They represent different religious backgrounds, professional experiences, and political ideologies.
From Bawumia’s potential to become the first Muslim president to Bediako’s entrepreneurial approach, the election reflects Ghana’s complex social and political fabric.
Electoral Expectations and Democratic Maturity
Ghana continues to be regarded as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa. This election is an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s commitment to peaceful democratic transition and robust electoral processes. The multiplicity of candidates and the competitive nature of the race underscore the vibrancy of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
The December 7, 2024, presidential election is more than a political event; it’s a defining moment for Ghana. Each candidate brings a unique perspective, promising to address the country’s economic challenges, promote social development, and chart a path toward prosperity.
As voters prepare to make their choice, the election represents a crucial exercise in democratic participation and national vision-setting.
The world will be watching as Ghanaians exercise their democratic right, potentially electing a leader who will navigate the country through complex economic and social landscapes in the coming years.
By: Peterina Oforiwaa Frempong
