In the Presidential election scheduled for December 2024, Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has chosen Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as their candidate. This decision sets the stage for a contest with former President John Mahama.
Mahamudu Bawumia, a 60-year-old economist and former central banker, has held the position of Vice President under President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo and has been the face of economic policy throughout his presidency. Akufo-Addo is set to step down in January 2025, completing his constitutionally mandated two terms.
Bawumia secured 61% of the votes in the second stage of the primary election, following his earlier victory in the first stage in August. This outcome was widely expected.
In his acceptance speech, Bawumia made a commitment to rebuild the struggling economy if elected as president. He expressed his desire to lead a nation that fosters the development of young talents, provides good jobs with proper compensation, and ensures sustained growth through macroeconomic discipline.
Ghana’s ruling parties are usually considered favorites in presidential elections; however, no party has ever won more than two consecutive terms. Additionally, voters may have concerns regarding Bawumia’s track record, as the country faces its most severe economic crisis in decades.
Due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Ghana, a country that relies on oil, gold, and cocoa production, had to seek a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund. Ghana’s Institute for Fiscal Studies researcher, Said Boakye, pointed out that Bawumia, as Vice President and head of the economic management team, was expected to have achieved more in terms of improving the economy.
Bawumia’s selection as the NPP’s candidate also reflects the party’s efforts to promote diversity. He is the first Muslim to lead a major party in Ghana since 1992, and he is also the first person from a non-dominant Akan-speaking ethnic group to lead the NPP.
Additional reporting by Christian Akorlie; Editing by Alessandra Prentice and Daniel Wallis
