The 2024 Ghana's election presents a crucial moment for the nation as voters prepare to decide between two leading candidates: John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Both leaders have presented ambitious manifestos, each offering distinct strategies to address Ghana's challenges and chart a path to prosperity.

John Dramani Mahama: Resetting Ghana

Mahama's manifesto, Resetting Ghana, centers on structural reforms, economic recovery, and social equity. Salient proposals include:

• Economic Stabilisation: Plans to tackle inflation, restructure public debt, and incentivize local businesses by removing “nuisance taxes.” Investments in agriculture and manufacturing are key to his job-creation strategy.
• 24-Hour Economy: Mahama proposes round-the-clock operations in key sectors such as logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing to boost productivity and create jobs.
• Education Reforms: His pledge includes addressing inefficiencies in the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, restoring the single-track system, and enhancing infrastructure to ensure quality education.
• Healthcare Development: Proposals to expand healthcare access through regional hospitals, establish a pharmaceutical hub to reduce import dependency, and strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme.
• Youth Empowerment: Revamping the “Youth Enterprise Support” initiative to provide funding and mentorship for startups, alongside supporting creative industries and mechanized farming.
• Social Development: Plans to establish a Women’s Development Bank to empower female entrepreneurs by improving access to credit.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia: Bold Solutions for Ghana

Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto builds on NPP’s achievements, emphasizing bold solutions that leverage innovation, industrialisation, and economic modernisation. Key highlights include:

• Digital Transformation: Expanding digital initiatives like the Ghana Card and mobile money interoperability to streamline governance, combat corruption, and enhance financial inclusion.
• Industrial Growth: Strengthening the "One District, One Factory" policy to boost local manufacturing, support exports, and create jobs.
• Economic Growth: A focus on stabilising inflation, ensuring debt sustainability, and consolidating infrastructure gains. Bawumia’s policies aim to make Ghana an attractive destination for foreign investment.
• Education and Skills Training: Enhancing the Free SHS program by addressing overcrowding, upgrading facilities, and promoting technical and vocational education to prepare youth for labor market demands.
• Agriculture Modernization: Using digital tools to link farmers with markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase productivity through irrigation and improved storage systems.

Collaboration with the CEO Network of Ghana

Both candidates have announced plans to establish a Business Advisory Council and work closely with the CEO Network of Ghana to ensure their policies align with private-sector needs. This collaboration highlights their shared recognition of the private sector’s critical role in Ghana’s economic growth.

Ernest Egyir, founder of the CEO Network of Ghana, has built strong relationships with both candidates, frequently inviting them as special guests to network events and conferences. His engagements underscore the importance of fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors. Egyir has commended their commitment to leverage the CEO Network’s expertise in shaping Ghana’s economic policies, positioning this collaboration as a key pillar for national progress.

A Defining Election for Ghana

The 2024 elections present a choice between Mahama’s ambitious reset agenda, centered on reforms and equity, and Bawumia’s bold solutions, leveraging innovation and modernization. Both manifestos aim to tackle Ghana’s most pressing challenges while setting the stage for long-term prosperity.

As Ghanaians head to the polls on December 7, 2024, the stakes are high. The country’s future depends on both leadership and collaboration, with the involvement of stakeholders like the CEO Network ensuring sustainable development. Ernest Egyir’s call for unity and peaceful elections reflects a collective desire for progress, regardless of who emerges victorious.

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Ernest De-Graft Egyir.
Founding CEO of the CEO Network of Ghana.