The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has published a comprehensive report analyzing the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, marking Ghana’s ninth electoral cycle since the inception of its democratic governance 31 years ago.
Despite unresolved issues in nine constituencies, the elections solidify Ghana’s status as a resilient democracy with regular power turnovers and competitive electoral processes.
Key findings of the report highlight pressing challenges and emerging trends shaping Ghana’s electoral landscape.
The 2024 elections reaffirmed the ballot box as a powerful tool for holding governments accountable. With four instances of ruling party turnovers (2000, 2008, 2016, and 2024), Ghanaians continue to signal their dissatisfaction with governance through their votes. For example, voter discontent led to the ousting of the NPP government in this cycle, mirroring similar actions against the John Mahama administration in 2016.
However, the report notes the limitations of elections as an accountability mechanism, given their cyclical nature. CDD-Ghana recommends enhanced citizen-led accountability measures between elections to address misgovernance more effectively.
Political parties bear a disproportionate burden in safeguarding electoral integrity. Both the NPP (2016) and the NDC (2024) resorted to extensive electoral policing, including setting up alternative command centers and deploying party agents to monitor collation centers. This reflects a lack of trust in the Electoral Commission (EC).
The report urges the EC to reclaim its primary role in ensuring free and fair elections, reducing the need for political parties to undertake such measures.
Mistrust in the EC remains a significant concern. Findings from the Afrobarometer and the NCCE’s 2024 report reveal declining confidence in the EC. Both major political parties—when in opposition—have cast doubts on the commission’s impartiality.
CDD-Ghana calls for targeted efforts to rebuild trust, including enhanced transparency, better administrative practices, and regular public briefings to alleviate post-election anxieties.
While pre-election and election-day security measures are robust, post-election violence remains a recurrent issue. The report highlights incidents of looting and vandalism following turnover elections, emphasizing the need for stronger law enforcement to deter such behaviour.
Collaboration between security agencies, political parties, and civil society is essential to address this challenge effectively.
The rise of misinformation and disinformation, fueled by technology, poses a threat to Ghana’s electoral integrity. Misleading campaign ads and false claims on social media were prevalent in 2024. The report underscores the need for stricter regulations and proactive media practices to combat this issue.
Media houses are urged to balance their commercial interests with ethical responsibilities by fact-checking political ads and refraining from amplifying false claims during elections.
The 2024 elections marked a significant political re-alignment, with the NDC winning 13 regions and the NPP securing three. This shift, coupled with the NDC’s improved performance in traditionally NPP strongholds, suggests a dynamic electoral map.
Additionally, Ghanaian voters continue to demonstrate political maturity by prioritizing long-term governance outcomes over short-term inducements.
CDD-Ghana’s analysis concludes with a call to action for stakeholders to address lingering challenges and consolidate democratic gains. From improving the efficiency of the EC to enhancing public education on ballot handling and civic responsibilities, the next four years present an opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
As Ghanaians overwhelmingly express their support for democracy and elections, addressing these systemic issues will ensure the country’s democratic resilience for decades to come.
