Close to seventeen million Ghanaians were registered to cast ballots at thirty – thousand polling stations across the country. Along with presidential candidates, voters were also charged with selecting 275 lawmakers out of 914 candidates for parliament. Although 10 other candidates are seeking the presidency, the contest has focused on the two political heavyweights, New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Akufo-Addo, 76, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Mahama, 62, who have faced off twice before for Ghana's highest office. Akufo-Addo won in 2016, replacing Mahama who won office in 2012. If either wins, which is expected, it would be for a second and final term under Ghana's constitutional term limits. Voting in the West African country has concluded, and results are expected by the middle of the week. Ghana is seen as an example of a well-functioning democracy amid politically chaotic neighbours.
To take the conversation further as we close off the month we talk to:
• Brian Kagoro is a Pan Africanist and lawyer –
• Dr Manu Lekunze is a lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen
