Ghanaians voted in elections on Saturday with frontrunners Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP ruling party and opposition NDC party ex-president John Mahama facing off in a tight race for the country's top post.

Ghana's struggling economy dominated the election after the West African gold and cacao producer went through a debt default, high inflation and negotiations for a $3 billion IMF bailout.

Voters are choosing a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down after his allowed two, four-year terms, and they will also elect the country's new parliament.

Early morning turnout appeared fairly slow in parts of the capital Accra, but steady in other neighbourhoods with the streets of the capital calm. Muslim women in colourful headscarves waited on wooden benches in the Nima district while students and shop workers cast their ballots in middle-class Stayaways. &nbsp;

"We want to vote for change, the economic situation is very hard," retired policeman James Nsiah said, waiting to cast his ballot at a booth in the Jamestown area of Accra.

Watch |&nbsp;Ghana Votes: What's At Stake In The Dec. 7 Polls

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Polling closes at 1700 GMT and counting will start immediately. Early results are expected on Sunday with full presidential results scheduled by Tuesday.

With a history of political stability, Ghana's two main parties, the current ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), have alternated in power almost equally since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992.

Touting a slogan "Break the 8" -- a reference to the usual two, four-year terms in power -- the NPP hopes Bawumia can lead them to an unprecedented third term in office. But he struggled to break away from criticism of Akufo-Addo's economic record.

Wearing a traditional white smock, Bawumia voted early on Saturday in his hometown of Walewale in the north of Ghana.

"I am very hopeful of winning this election," he told reporters. "I think we have done a lot of work with our message to the people and the message has been well received."

A UK-educated economist and former central banker, he points to an economy turning a corner and the government's continued plans for digitalisation to ease business as well as free education and health programs.

Ghana's government temporarily closed all land borders on Friday night through Sunday to "ensure the integrity" of the vote, an interior ministry statement said.

One man was arrested in possession of a weapon at an Accra polling station, Ghana Police said. &nbsp;

<h2>Economic frustrations&nbsp;</h2>

Inflation slowed from more than 50 per cent to around 23 per cent, and other macroeconomic indicators are stabilising after the debt restructuring and the IMF deal. But many Ghanaians still say they struggle with costs of living and scarce jobs and a depreciated cedi currency.

Frustration over the economy has opened the way for a comeback challenge from opposition candidate Mahama, who was president from 2012 to 2017 but who has since failed twice in presidential bids.

The NDC flag-bearer says he will "reset" Ghana and introduce a "24-hour economy", extending industrial hours to create jobs and more production and also renegotiate parts of the IMF deal.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-presidential-impeachment-motion-fails-says-national-assembly-speaker-782293">South Korean presidential impeachment motion fails, says National Assembly speaker</a>

"Other elections have not been as obvious," Mahama said voting in his northern hometown. "With this one everybody can tell the direction because of the abysmal performance of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government."

Some analysts gave him an edge because of voter dismay with NPP economics, but the former president faced criticism from those who remember financial woes and massive power cuts during his time in office.

First-time voter and visual arts student Abdullah Mohammed, 19, said he may have benefited from Akufo-Addo's free high school programme, but he saw the need for change with high costs weighing on families.

"I just want a good president who will bring changes. I don't really care if it is Bawumia or Mahama," he said in Accra's Nima district.

Shoe saleswoman Esther Adobea said the economic situation was on her mind, but she was willing to give Bawumia a chance to make things better.

"I can see he can handle the country for us. Our economy is not good but he can do better," she said in the Ayawaso area.

Both major candidates are from the north of the country -- traditionally an NDC stronghold, but now more fragmented -- making the region a key battleground.

While the economy was key, Ghana also faces an increasing risk of spillover in its northern regions from jihadist conflicts in Niger and Burkina Faso, where military juntas rule after coups.

The spread of illegal gold mining also became an election issue. Akufo-Addo promised to stop illegal mining, but it has expanded, poisoning riverways and impacting cacao farmlands -- a major source of export income.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Ghanaians voted in elections on Saturday with frontrunners Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP ruling party and opposition NDC party ex-president John Mahama facing off in a tight race for the country's top post.

Ghanaians voted in elections on Saturday with frontrunners Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP ruling party and opposition NDC party ex-president John Mahama facing off in a tight race for the country's top post. Ghana's struggling economy dominated the election after the West African gold and cacao producer went through a debt default, high inflation and negotiations for a $3 billion IMF bailout. Voters are choosing a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down after his allowed two, four-year terms, and they will also elect the country's new parliament. Early morning turnout appeared fairly slow in parts of the capital Accra, but steady in other neighbourhoods with the streets of the capital calm. Muslim women in colourful headscarves waited on wooden benches in the Nima district while students and shop workers cast their ballots in middle-class Stayaways. "We want to vote for change, the economic situation is very hard," retired policeman James Nsiah said, waiting to cast his ballot at a booth in the Jamestown area of Accra. Watch | Ghana Votes: What's At Stake In The Dec. 7 Polls × Polling closes at 1700 GMT and counting will start immediately. Early results are expected on Sunday with full presidential results scheduled by Tuesday. With a history of political stability, Ghana's two main parties, the current ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), have alternated in power almost equally since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992. Touting a slogan "Break the 8" -- a reference to the usual two, four-year terms in power -- the NPP hopes Bawumia can lead them to an unprecedented third term in office. But he struggled to break away from criticism of Akufo-Addo's economic record. Wearing a traditional white smock, Bawumia voted early on Saturday in his hometown of Walewale in the north of Ghana. "I am very hopeful of winning this election," he told reporters. "I think we have done a lot of work with our message to the people and the message has been well received." A UK-educated economist and former central banker, he points to an economy turning a corner and the government's continued plans for digitalisation to ease business as well as free education and health programs. Ghana's government temporarily closed all land borders on Friday night through Sunday to "ensure the integrity" of the vote, an interior ministry statement said. One man was arrested in possession of a weapon at an Accra polling station, Ghana Police said. Economic frustrations Inflation slowed from more than 50 per cent to around 23 per cent, and other macroeconomic indicators are stabilising after the debt restructuring and the IMF deal. But many Ghanaians still say they struggle with costs of living and scarce jobs and a depreciated cedi currency. Frustration over the economy has opened the way for a comeback challenge from opposition candidate Mahama, who was president from 2012 to 2017 but who has since failed twice in presidential bids. The NDC flag-bearer says he will "reset" Ghana and introduce a "24-hour economy", extending industrial hours to create jobs and more production and also renegotiate parts of the IMF deal. Also Read | South Korean presidential impeachment motion fails, says National Assembly speaker "Other elections have not been as obvious," Mahama said voting in his northern hometown. "With this one everybody can tell the direction because of the abysmal performance of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government." Some analysts gave him an edge because of voter dismay with NPP economics, but the former president faced criticism from those who remember financial woes and massive power cuts during his time in office. First-time voter and visual arts student Abdullah Mohammed, 19, said he may have benefited from Akufo-Addo's free high school programme, but he saw the need for change with high costs weighing on families. "I just want a good president who will bring changes. I don't really care if it is Bawumia or Mahama," he said in Accra's Nima district. Shoe saleswoman Esther Adobea said the economic situation was on her mind, but she was willing to give Bawumia a chance to make things better. "I can see he can handle the country for us. Our economy is not good but he can do better," she said in the Ayawaso area. Both major candidates are from the north of the country -- traditionally an NDC stronghold, but now more fragmented -- making the region a key battleground. While the economy was key, Ghana also faces an increasing risk of spillover in its northern regions from jihadist conflicts in Niger and Burkina Faso, where military juntas rule after coups. The spread of illegal gold mining also became an election issue. Akufo-Addo promised to stop illegal mining, but it has expanded, poisoning riverways and impacting cacao farmlands -- a major source of export income. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ghana goes to polls to choose new president amid struggling economy

Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) launched its manifesto Sunday in a vibrant event in Takoradi, as the party gears up for a fierce battle in December's politically charged elections. Watch in for more details!

Ghana: VP Mahamudu Bawumia and John Mahama contest for Presidency

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has won a second term in office, the electoral commission announced Wednesday, a result his rival John Mahama's party said it would appeal.

The West African country is known for its stable democracy, but tensions rose over Monday's presidential and legislative vote after Mahama claimed to have won a parliamentary majority and warned Akufo-Addo against stealing the vote.

In the presidential race, Akufo-Addo received 51.59 percent of the vote, beating opposition leader and former president Mahama's 47.36 percent, the electoral commission said.

The announcement was greeted with chanting and dancing by a crowd of supporters in the seaside capital Accra.

But the opposition has called the election "flawed."

In a victory speech on Wednesday, the president-elect leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) addressed his jubilant supporters, calling for peace.

"Now is the time, irrespective of political affiliations, to unite, join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder," 76-year-old Akufo-Addo said.

Observers viewed polling as generally free and fair but police said five people were killed and 19 injured in election-related violence.

The political climate soured late Tuesday when Mahama accused his rival of showing "credentials that are very undemocratic".

Mahama, 62, charged that Akufo-Addo had harnessed the military in a bid to sway the outcome, a claim the government said was false.

Mahama -- who has twice before lost to Akufo-Addo by a narrow margin, the last time in 2016 -- has yet to comment on the results.&nbsp;

The full count of the 275 parliamentary seats has not been announced and are expected to be very close.

Ghana has had seven peaceful transitions of power since the return of democracy more than 30 years ago, as post-electoral grievances have always been pursued through the courts –- a rarity in the troubled region.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, turnout was high, with 13,434,574 people voting -- 79 percent of registered voters.

(with inputs)

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has won a second term in office, the electoral commission announced Wednesday, a result his rival John Mahama's party said it would appeal.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has won a second term in office, the electoral commission announced Wednesday, a result his rival John Mahama's party said it would appeal. The West African country is known for its stable democracy, but tensions rose over Monday's presidential and legislative vote after Mahama claimed to have won a parliamentary majority and warned Akufo-Addo against stealing the vote. In the presidential race, Akufo-Addo received 51.59 percent of the vote, beating opposition leader and former president Mahama's 47.36 percent, the electoral commission said. The announcement was greeted with chanting and dancing by a crowd of supporters in the seaside capital Accra. But the opposition has called the election "flawed." In a victory speech on Wednesday, the president-elect leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) addressed his jubilant supporters, calling for peace. "Now is the time, irrespective of political affiliations, to unite, join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder," 76-year-old Akufo-Addo said. Observers viewed polling as generally free and fair but police said five people were killed and 19 injured in election-related violence. The political climate soured late Tuesday when Mahama accused his rival of showing "credentials that are very undemocratic". Mahama, 62, charged that Akufo-Addo had harnessed the military in a bid to sway the outcome, a claim the government said was false. Mahama -- who has twice before lost to Akufo-Addo by a narrow margin, the last time in 2016 -- has yet to comment on the results. The full count of the 275 parliamentary seats has not been announced and are expected to be very close. Ghana has had seven peaceful transitions of power since the return of democracy more than 30 years ago, as post-electoral grievances have always been pursued through the courts –- a rarity in the troubled region. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, turnout was high, with 13,434,574 people voting -- 79 percent of registered voters. (with inputs)

Ghana president re-elected as opposition rejects results

Both candidates have promised to revive the region’s second-largest economy and its vital cocoa-exporting sector, which has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Voting begins in Ghana’s presidential and legislative elections

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Ghana goes to polls to choose new president amid struggling economy

Ghana: VP Mahamudu Bawumia and John Mahama contest for Presidency

Ghana president re-elected as opposition rejects results

Voting begins in Ghana’s presidential and legislative elections