The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has officially released the list of qualified candidates who will contest the 2024 Presidential Election.
In a press release issued today, the EC announced that a total of 13 individuals have met the necessary criteria and will be on the ballot for the 2024 Presidential race.
“Following the successful conduct of the Filing of Nominations from the 9th of September to the 13th of September, 2024, the Commission instituted a thorough examination of the Nomination Forms submitted by the Candidates to ensure conformity with requirements as set out in law”.
Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman, Operations, Electoral Commission of Ghana
The contenders include representatives from both major political parties, independent candidates, and aspirants from smaller parties.
The EC, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, fairness, and integrity, emphasized that the meticulous scrutiny of the nomination forms was in line with the country’s legal framework governing presidential elections.
The lineup features some of the most prominent figures in Ghanaian politics, notably Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), setting the stage for a competitive election.
Nana Akosua Frimpomaa represents the Convention People’s Party, the party of the late Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah while Hassan Abdulai Ayariga represents the All People’s Congress.
Additionally, Kofi Akpaloo, Mohammed Frimpong, and Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr represent the Liberal Party of Ghana, the National Democratic Party and the Great Consolidated Popular Party respectfully.
Other key participants include Christian Kwabena Andrews of the Ghana Union Movement, whose party seeks to revive the policies of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party, a candidate known for her grassroots appeal.
Independent Candidates Add Intrigue
The 2024 election will see a record number of independent candidates, with four individuals contesting without party affiliation.
Notably, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former stalwart of the NPP and founder of the Movement for Change is running as an independent candidate, a development that has sparked much interest and speculation regarding its impact on the electoral landscape.
Among others are Nana Kwame Bediako, the leader of the New Force, George Twum-Barima-Adu, and Kofi Koranteng, all seeking to challenge the dominance of the two major political parties.
Their candidacies add an extra layer of intrigue to what is already expected to be a highly contested election.
The Electoral Commission’s Commitment
In the statement, signed by Samuel Tettey, the EC’s Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, the Commission assured the public of its unwavering commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent election, in line with its core values of transparency, fairness, and integrity.
The EC’s actions are in line with its constitutional mandate to oversee the electoral process and ensure that all candidates meet the legal requirements. With the presidential field now confirmed, attention will turn to the campaign trail, where candidates will continue to outline their visions for Ghana’s future.
The 2024 Presidential Election is scheduled to take place on December 7, 2024. As the official campaign period begins, the confirmed candidates are expected to intensify their efforts to woo voters, addressing key national issues such as the economy, unemployment, education, healthcare, and governance reform.
This election promises to be one of the most crucial in Ghana’s recent history, as voters face a diverse array of choices that could shape the direction of the nation for the next four years.
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