While Ghanaians will go to the polls on December 7, many will play that day in Ghana. President Nana Akufo-Addo is counting on his record to win re-election. But his main opponent, former President John Mahama, longs for a comeback. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance and Kojo Asante, Advocacy Director of the Center for Democratic Development answered questions from Africanews.
Igniatius years; Dr. Akwetey, I take the liberty of starting with you to address the state of preparation of the Election Commission which had to update the electoral lists, a few months before the general elections, which caused some uproar in the country.
Dr **Emmanuel Akwetey: ** In terms of efficiency, compilation of the register and monitoring of proceedings, this is the first time that the commission has published the voters list on its website, although it has had to withdraw it for the time being . So, I think she is convinced that she did everything on time. Apparently, the commission distributed the ballots and all the necessary materials.
Igniatius years; Mr. Asante, what are the major issues of this election, while a former president tries to return to the helm of the country?
Kojo Asante: It is a question of balance sheet. Both parties dominated the Fourth Republic and both were in power enough for citizens to compare their results. At the end of the day, it will really be a question of who the population trusts to keep the promises that have been made.
Igniatius years; Twelve candidates are in the running, but still with two favorites. What chances have the current president, and the former president and leader of the opposition party in this election?
Dr Emmanuel Akwetey: In the Fourth Republic, the tendency is that the elected president usually gets two terms. The 2012 elections were the first attempt to overthrow the government of the National Democratic Congress, those won by John Mahama, before going to court. The arbitration had taken eight months. This first attempt at a single mandate did not work. This could be the last election campaign of the two presidents before they step down in favor of the succession. Although President Mahama is younger, he will have received three possible terms. In 2012, in 2016 and now in 2020. Whether or not he gets a fourth term in 2024 will depend on many factors.
Kojo Asante: What do you hope to see on December 7 and after the election?
What concerns us is the Volta region, which is the stronghold of the opposition. Not necessarily because it is the stronghold of the opposition, but above all because of the secessionist activities that we are now facing, and the efforts of the security services in the area. We are already receiving a backlash from the leaders of the region.
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