This Monday, December 07, 2020, Ghanaians marched in front of the polling stations to sacrifice their civic duty. A presidential election in which outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party faced off against former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress.
Ghanaians turned out in large numbers on Monday to elect their President. Outgoing head of state Nana Akufo-Addo faced his lifelong rival, former President John Mahama. “I have been voting here since 1992 and as always, everything is going smoothly and calmly,” said John Mahama, 62, congratulated after his vote. “I am fine, and I am very happy with how the day went,” Nana Akufo-Addo told reporters before adding: “We will strengthen the commitments we have made for our democratic institutions.”
However, at midday, a case of violence was reported by the police and Codeo (a coalition of local observers). Guys in a black Land Cruiser reportedly shot at the cars of two members of the National Democratic Congress, candidate John Dramani Mahama’s party, in Kasoa. Four people, including a journalist, were injured. The attackers fled and are wanted by the police.
However, last Friday the outgoing President and his rival even signed a peace pact to urge their supporters to avoid violence. Thursday evening, Nana Akufo-Addo addressed the nation one last time to prevent any hint of violence.
Nearly 40,000 local and international observers were deployed throughout the country to ensure the smooth running of the ballot. Security forces are deployed on the ground and police cars are moving from office to office.
If Nana Akufo-Addo is doing with a rather positive economic, diplomatic and social record, with the creation of free high schools and better access to education for all, youth unemployment, lack of infrastructure , and access to healthcare remain issues in this campaign.
