The Dynamics of Ghana’s 2024 Presidential Race – Elliot Nuertey

As Ghana gears up for the December 2024 presidential elections, the political landscape is undergoing a transformation, marked by the emergence of unique candidates and movements. Elliot Nuertey, a Ghanaian journalist gave Qonversations key insights about the upcoming elections, shedding light on the candidates, their backgrounds, and the novel approaches they bring to the table.

“This particular election area is very interesting”, Nuertey explains. “It is unique in the Fourth Republic of Ghana because for the first time, we have a candidate breaking away from their political party to form a political movement by himself.” Described as a leader of the “Movement for Change,” Alan Kyerematan, hailing from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), seeks to form a united government by recruiting officials from across Ghana’s political spectrum.

As Nuertey notes, “[Alan Kyerematan] is currently the leader of the Movement for Change. He doesn’t call it a political party, so I like to use the term political movement. The political movement is a movement for change that seeks to form a united government.”

Having previously resigned from the NPP in 2008 and subsequently rejoining, he opted to form a new political movement. The goal is to bring about the change he envisions for the country, and if elected, to lead a government that transcends traditional party lines.

The interview also sheds light on the internal dynamics of the NPP, revealing that the current vice president has been officially elected as the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 election. This adds another dimension to the race, as the NPP will be represented by the current Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming contest.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Ghana’s primary opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a decisive move, overwhelmingly voted to nominate former President John Mahama as its candidate for the 2024 presidential election. This marks Mahama’s third bid for the highest office in Ghana, a nation renowned for its political stability within Africa.

Having previously secured the second position in the 2016 and 2020 elections, Mahama’s candidacy comes at a pivotal time for the country. The impending presidential race is anticipated to be highly competitive, given the historical trend of no party winning more than two consecutive terms.

As Ghana currently grapples with its most severe economic crisis in a generation, increased living costs and a notable depreciation of the cedi currency have given rise to widespread protests, further intensifying the significance of the upcoming election.

Adding a layer of mystery to the electoral landscape is the emergence of a new force – another political movement that has made its presence known through billboards in the capital. The identity of the individual behind this movement remains undisclosed, which Nuertey confesses might not work for Ghanaians, but the movement has gained traction on social media and the internet. Described as a force for change, this movement introduces an element of unpredictability to the electoral equation.

As Ghanaians anticipate the 2024 elections, the stage is set for a three-way contest, with candidates from the NPP, NDC, and the Movement for Change vying for the highest office. The unique blend of established party dynamics and the emergence of independent movements adds an extra layer of excitement and uncertainty to the political landscape, making the upcoming elections one to watch closely.

Watch the full episode hosted by Eleanor Sá-Carneiro on The Qonversation.