A person killed on election day in Ghana

As voting continues for Ghana’s normal elections, police say 4 males have been arrested following the deadly taking pictures of 1 individual and the wounding of one other.

It occurred at a polling station within the northern city of Nyankpala, the place police say an opposition candidate working to turn into a neighborhood MP had tried to lodge a criticism however was stopped by supporters of the ruling social gathering.

Soldiers have since been despatched there in armored automobiles to revive calm.

Elsewhere, election day handed peacefully, with some Ghanaians lining up earlier than daybreak to make sure they solid their ballots.

The debt disaster and excessive value of dwelling preserve the financial system uppermost in many citizens’ minds.

The West African nation is assured a brand new president as Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after reaching the official two-term restrict.

But he may very well be changed with a well-known face, if former president John Mahama succeeds in his bid for a comeback for the NDC social gathering.

His essential challenger is anticipated to be Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who would turn into the nation’s first Muslim chief if he wins for the ruling NPP social gathering.

Other candidates embody Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman standard amongst younger voters, and Alan Kyerematen, who give up the ruling NPP social gathering final yr.

Nearly 19 million Ghanaians are registered to vote.

Although Ghana has recently introduced tougher legislation to increase the number of women at the forefront of politicsjust one lady is working to turn into president: Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

The solely different feminine presidential candidate on this election, Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party, died in October. Yet her identify will nonetheless seem on the poll papers as a result of the candidate chosen to succeed her has been disqualified.

Saturday’s normal election additionally sees voters in 275 constituencies throughout the nation select their members of parliament.

Since the return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992, solely candidates from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) or New Patriotic Party (NPP) have received the presidency.

No social gathering has ever received greater than two consecutive phrases in energy.

Voters have a 10-hour window to vote on Saturday: 07:00 to 17:00 GMT.

Ghana’s land borders remained closed till Sunday night, in a transfer that correspondents described as uncommon.

The election outcomes might be introduced inside three days.

To win within the first spherical, a presidential candidate should get greater than 50% of the vote. Otherwise, the highest two contenders will enter the run-off which is able to happen by the top of December.

Voting for the primary time, 18-year-old Serwaa Yeboah Joshebeth informed the BBC “it can be crucial that you simply vote to decide on one of the best on your nation.”

The new graduate needs to see extra job alternatives, “not only for me however for others who want it (additionally).”

Kojo Yeboah, 95, agrees.

“The subsequent chief should concentrate on training and jobs for younger folks,” the college pensioner informed the BBC outdoors a polling station within the metropolis of Kumasi.

“Already at my age I profit from state salaries,” he provides.

On Friday, because the election marketing campaign ended, Bawumia stated of his essential rival: “What is obvious is that regardless of the challenges we confronted, we carried out higher than John Dramani Mahama’s authorities.”

While Mahama informed supporters “it’s a selection between the Ghana we have now in the present day and the Ghana we would like collectively. A Ghana of alternative, prosperity and justice for all.”

In latest years Ghanaians have been notably affected by inflation, which peaked at 54.1% in 2022. Although it has since fallen, many hundreds of individuals have been pushed into poverty and their dwelling requirements have resentful. says the World Bank.

That identical yr, Ghana didn’t repay its debt the government is still in lengthy negotiations with international lenders to try to restructure the loans.

Unemployment can also be excessive, particularly amongst younger folks, whose opinions might have a big effect on the result of the elections.

Additional reporting by Favor Nunoo in Accra and Damian Zane in London