Residents of Ghana’s Odododio region in Accra are concentrating on two candidates ahead of the 2024 general elections. John Mahama of the NDC, the opposition party, and Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling NPP are the two candidates on most lips.
In the 2020 election, this district like many others in Greater Accra was a tightly contested battleground. While the NDC’s parliamentary candidate narrowly clinched victory in Odododiodio, Mahama also secured more votes in the district despite losing the presidency to the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo.
This year, the stakes are higher as Ghana grapples with economic hardship following its debt default, soaring inflation of 23%, high unemployment, and a rising cost of living. For voters in Odododiodio, these pressing issues dominate conversations about who is best suited to steer the nation forward.
Opinions in this predominantly NDC-leaning district remain divided. Emmalyn Asiamah, a 21-year-old beautician and first-time voter, is rallying behind Mahama as she says they need change,
Nearby, others relaxed during the public holiday marking the end of the campaign period, tuning into NDC-aligned television broadcasts. Yet, not everyone was convinced. Samuel Laryea, a 44-year-old public accountant, remains committed to the NPP, expressing confidence in Vice President Bawumia. “This time, we have a better candidate,” he said, attributing the economic challenges to global factors like the Russia-Ukraine war while praising Bawumia’s leadership potential.
In the 2020 election, Akufo-Addo secured 44.03% of the district’s votes compared to Mahama’s 55.3%. Despite Mahama’s prior tenure as president, Laryea remains skeptical of his leadership. “I’ve not seen anything good from John Mahama,” he said.
Once celebrated for its political stability and robust economy, Ghana’s fortunes have faltered in recent years. A 2022 debt crisis led to a $3 billion IMF bailout, fueling political blame games. The NPP defends its record, pointing to external shocks like the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Critics, however, accuse the ruling party of poor fiscal management and overspending.
Bawumia, a UK-trained economist, is campaigning on promises of economic recovery, digital transformation, and the continuation of popular free education and healthcare policies. Mahama, on the other hand, is proposing a “24-hour economy,” aimed at expanding industrial operations to create jobs and boost production.
Both candidates hail from northern Ghana, traditionally an NDC stronghold but now more competitive. However, the populous Greater Accra region, including districts like Odododiodio, is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
Generational loyalty and economic struggles weigh heavily on voters’ decisions.
As Ghana approaches election day, the voices from Odododiodio reflect a nation deeply concerned about its future, with voters split not just by party lines but also by their hopes for economic revival and generational change.
