The upcoming U.S. presidential election is pivotal as Americans choose their next leader.
Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have intensified their campaigns, each presenting messages that resonate with voters.
The developments in the U.S. election share similarities with Ghana’s general election. Ghana’s political system has often mirrored the democratic processes of larger nations, particularly the United States. Since Ghana returned to democratic rule in 1992, an intriguing pattern has emerged: when the Democratic Party holds power in the U.S., Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) often leads, while Republican administrations tend to coincide with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in power.
This coincidence has sparked discussions about a deeper connection between these parties, despite the absence of formal alliances.
Republicans vs. Democrats and NPP vs. NDC
The two main political parties in the U.S. are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. In Ghana, the main parties are the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NPP shares the same symbol as the U.S. Republican Party, the elephant, while the NDC’s symbol is an umbrella, contrasting with the Democratic Party’s donkey.
Ideologies
Democratic Party Support
The Democratic Party’s support has been strongest among:
- Lower-income groups – The Democrats are generally viewed as more supportive of policies aiding lower-income citizens, including urban communities.
- Minorities – African Americans and Hispanics have leaned Democratic, as the party backs government programs that support minority groups and tends to take a less strict stance on immigration.
- Liberals – Democrats tend to favor federal and state support for education, employment, and social issues like gay rights, abortion rights, and tighter gun control.
Republican Party Support
The Republican Party’s support is strongest among:
- Wealthy individuals – Republicans favor low taxes and minimal government intervention, particularly in suburban, rural, and corporate areas.
- White voters – This group often supports Republican candidates, though Donald Trump lost some white support in the 2020 election.
- Conservatives – The Republicans lean conservative on social policy, typically opposing abortion, supporting gun rights, and favouring capital punishment. The “Bible Belt” and religious groups have also become influential in Republican support.
NDC
The NDC identifies as a center-left party, promoting social democracy and a mixed economy. It focuses on social welfare programs, income redistribution, and government intervention to support economic equality. The party has implemented programs like the National Electrification Program, youth empowerment, and affirmative action for women.
NPP
The NPP leans toward a center-right ideology, advocating for free-market principles and limited government intervention, aiming to boost private sector-led growth. It promotes market reforms, good governance, and creating a favorable environment for businesses and foreign investments.
Similar Election Issues
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, is running again in 2024 after losing in 2016 and 2020. In Ghana, former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, who also lost the 2016 and 2020 elections, is seeking re-election in December. Both former leaders served a single four-year term.
In the U.S., President Joe Biden’s term will conclude with the 2024 election, and Vice President Kamala Harris is the likely Democratic successor. Similarly, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s term ends on January 7, with his Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, as the NPP’s candidate.
U.S. House and Ghana’s Parliament
The current Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, James Michael Johnson, is a Republican. In Ghana, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is from the opposition NDC.
The U.S. appears to recognize the ideological divide in Ghana, evidenced by the timing of state visits from American presidents.
Political Communication Analyst Azure Imoro Abdulai notes that historical patterns could repeat in the 2024 elections for both countries. If Kamala Harris wins in the U.S. and Mahama prevails in Ghana, the historical alignment between the NDC and the Democrats would be maintained. However, a Trump win combined with an NDC victory would break the longstanding trend, as it would be the first time a Republican U.S. administration coincided with NDC leadership in Ghana.
Analyzing the Relationship Beyond Coincidence
According to Abdulai, the relationship between these parties, while largely circumstantial, reflects broader ideological trends. The NDC, like the Democrats, ideologically, have traditionally embraced centre-left policies focused on social equity, welfare programs, and inclusivity. They often championed social welfare policies, state intervention in the economy, and progressive social policies.
The NPP, on the other hand, aligns more closely with the Republicans who leaned towards centre-right policies emphasizing free markets, private enterprise, and
conservative social values. This ideological alignment may explain the historical pattern, as voters in both
countries might respond similarly to global political trends and domestic issues that align with the broader
left-right spectrum.
For instance, economic crises, social unrest, or global political shifts could influence voters in both countries
to prefer one political ideology over another, leading to simultaneous electoral victories for ideologically
aligned parties.
This alignment mirrors the broader ideological divides between the Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. However, the question remains: Is this political parallel a product of mere coincidence, or does it reflect deeper ideological connections and global political currents? While some argue that these parallels are shaped by the broader geopolitical influences on domestic politics, others see them as coincidental.
He concluded that the 2024 elections present an intriguing juncture in the Ghana-U.S. political parallel. Whether the historical convention between the NDC and Democrats, and NPP and Republicans, will be restored or further disrupted remains to be seen.
However, one thing is certain: the outcome of these elections will either reinforce the long-standing political symmetry or mark the beginning of a new era where historical patterns give way to a more complex and unpredictable global political landscape. As political dynamics evolve, this analysis underscores the fluidity of political conventions and the ever-shifting nature of global political alignments.
The 2024 elections will not only determine the leadership of Ghana and the U.S. but may also redefine a historical political relationship that has captivated observers for decades.