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Ghana gripped by economic anxiety as election countdown gathers pace Ghana gripped by economic anxiety as election countdown gathers pace
(5 months later)
Ghanaians go to the polls in November and will decide whether to give the ruling National Democratic Congress an unprecedented third term or return the New Patriotic party to office after an eight-year hiatus.Ghanaians go to the polls in November and will decide whether to give the ruling National Democratic Congress an unprecedented third term or return the New Patriotic party to office after an eight-year hiatus.
In 1957, Ghana became the first African country to gain independence. It has since been seen as a symbol of democratic governance and economic growth in Africa. There have been bumps along the way: a trio of coups in the 70s and early 80s that threatened to undermine the democratic process, while disputes have followed recent elections.In 1957, Ghana became the first African country to gain independence. It has since been seen as a symbol of democratic governance and economic growth in Africa. There have been bumps along the way: a trio of coups in the 70s and early 80s that threatened to undermine the democratic process, while disputes have followed recent elections.
Ghana’s democratic credentials remain strong ahead of this year’s presidential and parliamentary contest, but a continuing economic slump and a range of festering political and social security issues have caused public dismay. Locals and outsiders alike are watching closely as the 7 November polling day nears.Ghana’s democratic credentials remain strong ahead of this year’s presidential and parliamentary contest, but a continuing economic slump and a range of festering political and social security issues have caused public dismay. Locals and outsiders alike are watching closely as the 7 November polling day nears.
In Jamestown, a vibrant district in Ghana’s capital, Accra, workers are resurfacing streets. Michael Afute, whose home and hair salon back on to a stretch of newly laid tarmac, is grateful the road is being repaired but under no illusions as to why.In Jamestown, a vibrant district in Ghana’s capital, Accra, workers are resurfacing streets. Michael Afute, whose home and hair salon back on to a stretch of newly laid tarmac, is grateful the road is being repaired but under no illusions as to why.
“When it is time for elections, they intentionally start doing certain things like street lights and the roads,” he says.“When it is time for elections, they intentionally start doing certain things like street lights and the roads,” he says.
Road repairs and infrastructure improvements are increasingly evident in Accra as the elections draw closer.Road repairs and infrastructure improvements are increasingly evident in Accra as the elections draw closer.
The NDC, in power since 2009, is looking for another win and hoping the presidential incumbent John Mahama, who took office in 2012, will be re-elected.The NDC, in power since 2009, is looking for another win and hoping the presidential incumbent John Mahama, who took office in 2012, will be re-elected.
Mahama will again face Nana Akufo-Addo of the centre-right NPP. Also fielding candidates are the Convention People’s party (CPP) with its Kwame Nkrumah-inspired socialism, the People’s National Convention and the recently formed Progressive People’s party.Mahama will again face Nana Akufo-Addo of the centre-right NPP. Also fielding candidates are the Convention People’s party (CPP) with its Kwame Nkrumah-inspired socialism, the People’s National Convention and the recently formed Progressive People’s party.
Mahama’s government has long put an emphasis on improving infrastructure: it spent 451m cedis (£82m) in 2015 alone (pdf). National road networks have been installed or updated, hospital facilities have increased and the president’s promise to build 200 secondary schools is being realised.Mahama’s government has long put an emphasis on improving infrastructure: it spent 451m cedis (£82m) in 2015 alone (pdf). National road networks have been installed or updated, hospital facilities have increased and the president’s promise to build 200 secondary schools is being realised.
“When we came into office … there were no resources to have [the roads] completed, but President Mahama managed to raise money,” says Fred Agbenyo, an NDC spokesman. “The bedrock for development is infrastructure. If you don’t have infrastructure you don’t have anything, you can’t move on as a people.”“When we came into office … there were no resources to have [the roads] completed, but President Mahama managed to raise money,” says Fred Agbenyo, an NDC spokesman. “The bedrock for development is infrastructure. If you don’t have infrastructure you don’t have anything, you can’t move on as a people.”
Mahama’s government has expanded the national health insurance scheme, provided more social services for elderly people and rolled out school initiatives. However, this progress has been compromised by public anger over the economy. Economic growth slowed from 14% in 2011 to 4.1% last year (pdf), battered by the global slowdown in commodities. The government has raised utility prices and, given rising unemployment, public anger over perceived corruption and growing security concerns, Mahama’s government will have to work hard to win back voters.Mahama’s government has expanded the national health insurance scheme, provided more social services for elderly people and rolled out school initiatives. However, this progress has been compromised by public anger over the economy. Economic growth slowed from 14% in 2011 to 4.1% last year (pdf), battered by the global slowdown in commodities. The government has raised utility prices and, given rising unemployment, public anger over perceived corruption and growing security concerns, Mahama’s government will have to work hard to win back voters.
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Agbenyo says the party recognises the hardships facing Ghanaians and believes it has “laid the foundations for economic takeoff”.Agbenyo says the party recognises the hardships facing Ghanaians and believes it has “laid the foundations for economic takeoff”.
“In the past, [corruption] was worse than this but nobody would bring it to the fore,” he says. “Of course, I cannot say that everything is 100% correct – there are wrongs here and there – but on the whole, I think we have demonstrated that on good governance we have done well.”“In the past, [corruption] was worse than this but nobody would bring it to the fore,” he says. “Of course, I cannot say that everything is 100% correct – there are wrongs here and there – but on the whole, I think we have demonstrated that on good governance we have done well.”
Dr Seidu Alidu of the University of Ghana’s political science department says the government has made progress with schools, health clinics and road construction.Dr Seidu Alidu of the University of Ghana’s political science department says the government has made progress with schools, health clinics and road construction.
“But what Ghanaians look at is all about the bread-and-butter issues: can I afford two square meals a day? If I eat lunch then what will I eat for dinner? It is not about how many roads you have constructed. How many people have cars in Ghana or even those who do, how do you now buy the petrol to drive the car?”“But what Ghanaians look at is all about the bread-and-butter issues: can I afford two square meals a day? If I eat lunch then what will I eat for dinner? It is not about how many roads you have constructed. How many people have cars in Ghana or even those who do, how do you now buy the petrol to drive the car?”
Significant increases in petrol, water and electricity costs led thousands of Ghanaians to protest last month. A three-year electricity crisis that resulted in widespread blackouts appears to be easing, but a 59% increase in prices has hit hard.Significant increases in petrol, water and electricity costs led thousands of Ghanaians to protest last month. A three-year electricity crisis that resulted in widespread blackouts appears to be easing, but a 59% increase in prices has hit hard.
“I am a hairdresser,” says Afute. “I don’t need electricity much, just for the light and the fan. We pre-paid 40 cedis on Thursday and now [Monday] it has finished, so I work in the heat. Before [that money] would last for almost 10 days.”“I am a hairdresser,” says Afute. “I don’t need electricity much, just for the light and the fan. We pre-paid 40 cedis on Thursday and now [Monday] it has finished, so I work in the heat. Before [that money] would last for almost 10 days.”
The NPP, which was in power under John Kufuor for eight years until 2009, has taken aim at the government over its handling of the economy.The NPP, which was in power under John Kufuor for eight years until 2009, has taken aim at the government over its handling of the economy.
“There are millions of anxious Ghanaians who have begun this year with questions about where our nation is heading, and what the future holds,” Akufo-Addo, who is making his third run at the presidency, said recently.“There are millions of anxious Ghanaians who have begun this year with questions about where our nation is heading, and what the future holds,” Akufo-Addo, who is making his third run at the presidency, said recently.
Outside the NPP headquarters, Juliette Addo, 35, is selling blue-and-red party merchandise.Outside the NPP headquarters, Juliette Addo, 35, is selling blue-and-red party merchandise.
“If you build hospitals, even a mountain of hospitals and you don’t have money to go there … what is the meaning of the hospital?” she says.“If you build hospitals, even a mountain of hospitals and you don’t have money to go there … what is the meaning of the hospital?” she says.
For Addo’s 22-year-old daughter, a recent university graduate who is doing her national service and lives at home, finding a job is difficult. The number of registered unemployed university graduates has almost doubled in the past two years.For Addo’s 22-year-old daughter, a recent university graduate who is doing her national service and lives at home, finding a job is difficult. The number of registered unemployed university graduates has almost doubled in the past two years.
“It is very difficult,” says Juliette, an NPP member since 1992. “She has to finish her service before she can get a job and even right now we are fighting to look for a job … we took her application everywhere … there is no job.”“It is very difficult,” says Juliette, an NPP member since 1992. “She has to finish her service before she can get a job and even right now we are fighting to look for a job … we took her application everywhere … there is no job.”
Despite public anger, the NPP may struggle to win enough votes to take power.Despite public anger, the NPP may struggle to win enough votes to take power.
“In Africa when you are an opposition party it is very difficult to fight an incumbent government and so if you are divided it becomes more difficult for you to put up a very good fight,” says Alidu.“In Africa when you are an opposition party it is very difficult to fight an incumbent government and so if you are divided it becomes more difficult for you to put up a very good fight,” says Alidu.
The NPP is in some disarray following the murder of MP Joseph Danquah in Accra this month and the sudden death of the party’s western region chairman, Ben Kwaw, in Sekondi-Takoradi.The NPP is in some disarray following the murder of MP Joseph Danquah in Accra this month and the sudden death of the party’s western region chairman, Ben Kwaw, in Sekondi-Takoradi.
Akufo-Addo’s nomination sparked internal wrangling. The party’s general secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, was among members suspended in December after disputing the decision. “If they are able to embark on a grassroots campaign they can reignite their campaign and the strength of the party, and if they are able to manage their differences moving forward it might be great for their party,” Alidu adds.Akufo-Addo’s nomination sparked internal wrangling. The party’s general secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, was among members suspended in December after disputing the decision. “If they are able to embark on a grassroots campaign they can reignite their campaign and the strength of the party, and if they are able to manage their differences moving forward it might be great for their party,” Alidu adds.
In 2012, the NPP was defeated by 2% and accused the NDC of “systematically stealing” votes. The ruling party countered that the voter register was inefficient, with names duplicated in some places and others missing entirely.In 2012, the NPP was defeated by 2% and accused the NDC of “systematically stealing” votes. The ruling party countered that the voter register was inefficient, with names duplicated in some places and others missing entirely.
The electoral commission has said it will clean the register before this year’s vote.The electoral commission has said it will clean the register before this year’s vote.
“It is a big issue that the commission needs to deal with,” says Frank Adarkwah-Yiadom, a director at the Centre for African Democratic Affairs. “We feel a lot of people will go to the polling station … but they will not find their names.”“It is a big issue that the commission needs to deal with,” says Frank Adarkwah-Yiadom, a director at the Centre for African Democratic Affairs. “We feel a lot of people will go to the polling station … but they will not find their names.”
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Hoping to break the two-way tie in November will be Ivor Greenstreet, a lawyer standing for the CPP, which last governed Ghana just after independence. He is well aware of the challenge ahead.Hoping to break the two-way tie in November will be Ivor Greenstreet, a lawyer standing for the CPP, which last governed Ghana just after independence. He is well aware of the challenge ahead.
“It is tough,” says Greenstreet, who defeated Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Ghana’s first president, for the nomination. “There is still a lot of work to do but there is fertile ground. We don’t believe Ghanaians are satisfied with the two main parties and they are looking for an alternative.”“It is tough,” says Greenstreet, who defeated Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Ghana’s first president, for the nomination. “There is still a lot of work to do but there is fertile ground. We don’t believe Ghanaians are satisfied with the two main parties and they are looking for an alternative.”
Greenstreet cited youth unemployment, education inefficiencies and the neglect of rural areas as significant issues.Greenstreet cited youth unemployment, education inefficiencies and the neglect of rural areas as significant issues.
“That lack of economic activity [in rural areas] is the root cause of our rural-to-urban migration because people cannot find any decent activity,” says Greenstreet, who has used a wheelchair since he was paralysed in a car accident in 1998. He is the first disabled person in Ghana to run for president.“That lack of economic activity [in rural areas] is the root cause of our rural-to-urban migration because people cannot find any decent activity,” says Greenstreet, who has used a wheelchair since he was paralysed in a car accident in 1998. He is the first disabled person in Ghana to run for president.
Although a Disability Act has been passed, he says amendments are needed and criticises a stark “lack of funding and any sense the provisions are being adhered to in terms of accessibility to public buildings and the creation of opportunity to the various disabled groups nationwide”.Although a Disability Act has been passed, he says amendments are needed and criticises a stark “lack of funding and any sense the provisions are being adhered to in terms of accessibility to public buildings and the creation of opportunity to the various disabled groups nationwide”.
Beyond these issues, he dreams of a purer politics, and believes this could appeal.Beyond these issues, he dreams of a purer politics, and believes this could appeal.
“If we carry out politics of issues not insults, and a campaign based on unifying principles, not being divisive and not being part of anything that radiates vindictiveness, and always try and be a beacon of hope and light … then the goodwill that appears to be resonating at the moment will continue to burn.”“If we carry out politics of issues not insults, and a campaign based on unifying principles, not being divisive and not being part of anything that radiates vindictiveness, and always try and be a beacon of hope and light … then the goodwill that appears to be resonating at the moment will continue to burn.”