One person was shot dead on election day in Ghana

As voting continues in Ghana’s general election, police say four men have been arrested following the shooting death of one person and the wounding of another.

The incident happened in the northern town of Nyankpala, where soldiers have been sent to restore calm.

Elsewhere, election day passed peacefully, with some Ghanaians lining up before dawn to make sure they voted.

The debt crisis and high cost of living mean the economy is at the forefront of many voters’ minds.

The West African nation was assured of a new president when Nana Akufo-Addo stepped down after reaching the official limit of two terms.

But he could be replaced by a familiar face, if former President John Mahama is successful in his bid to return to the NDC party.

His main rival is expected to be Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who would become the country’s first Muslim leader if he wins for the ruling NPP party.

Other candidates include Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman popular with young voters, and Alan Kyerematen, who defected to the ruling NPP last year.

Nearly 19 million Ghanaians are registered to vote.

Although Ghana recently enacted tougher laws to increase the number of women participating in frontline politics.there is only one woman running for president – Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Congress People’s Party (CPP).

The only remaining female presidential candidate in this election – Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party – died in October. However, her name will still be on the ballot paper as the candidate chosen to Her successor has been eliminated.

Saturday’s general election also saw voters in 275 constituencies across the country choose their members of parliament.

Since multiparty politics returned to Ghana in 1992, only candidates of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have won the presidency.

No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in power.

Voters have 10 hours on Saturday to vote – 07:00-17:00 GMT.

Ghana’s land borders were closed until Sunday evening, in a move described by reporters as unusual.

Election results are expected to be announced within three days.

To win in the first round, a presidential candidate must win over 50% of the votes. If not, the top two candidates will enter a second round of voting at the end of December.

Voting for the first time, Serwaa Yeboah Joshebeth, 18, told the BBC “it’s important that you vote to choose what’s best for your country”.

New graduates want to see more job opportunities, “not just for me but for others who need them too” [too].”

Kojo Yeboah, 95, agrees.

“The next leader must focus on education and youth employment,” the retired university worker told the BBC outside the polling booth in the city of Kumasi.

He added: “At my age, I already receive benefits from the state.”

As election campaigns came to a close on Friday, Bawumia said of his main rival: “What is clear is that despite the challenges we faced, we have performed better than John Dramani Mahama’s government .”

While Mahama told supporters “it is a choice between the Ghana we have today and the Ghana we want together. A Ghana of opportunity, prosperity and justice for all. “

Ghanaians have been hit particularly hard by inflation in recent years, reaching a peak of 54.1% in 2022. Although inflation has since fallen, thousands of people have been pushed into poverty. poverty and living standards are affected. World Bank said.

That same year, Ghana defaulted on its debt and The government is still in the midst of lengthy negotiations with international lending institutions to try to restructure loans..

Unemployment is also high – especially among young people, whose views can have a major impact on election outcomes.

Additional reporting by Damian Zane