Vote Counting begins in Ghana as new president awaits to emerge
By Raymond Enoch.
Votes are being counted after Saturday’s general elections in Ghana, following a voting process that was largely peaceful except for a fatal shootings in the northern part of the country.
Paradigm News reported that election day has been peacefully conducted, with some Ghanaians queuing up before dawn to make sure they cast their ballots.
It is generally noted that Ghana’s land borders have been closed until Sunday evening, in a move that our correspondent described as unusual to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections
Polling centres officially closed at 17:00 GMT and election results are expected to be announced on Tuesday.
The West African nation of Ghana is guaranteed a new president as Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after reaching the official limit of two terms in office.
But he could be replaced with a familiar face, if former President John Mahama succeeds in his comeback attempt for the NDC party.
His main challenger is expected to be Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who would become the country’s first Muslim leader if he wins for the governing NPP party.
Other candidates include Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman popular with young voters and Alan Kyerematen, who defected from the ruling NPP party last year.
Close to 19 million Ghanaians are registered to vote.
Despite Ghana recently bringing in tougher legislation to drive up the numbers of women in frontline politics, only one woman is in the running to become president – Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
The Saturday’s general election also sees voters in 275 constituencies across the country choosing their members of parliament.
Since the return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992, only candidates from either the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have won the presidency.
No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in power.
In order to win in the first round, a presidential candidate must gain more than 50% of the vote. Failing that, the top two contenders will enter a run-off vote to take place by the end of December.
Voting for the first time, 18-year-old Serwaa Yeboah Joshebeth told Paradigm News that “it is important for you to vote to choose the best for your country”.
