Votes are being counted next Saturday’s common election in Ghana, following a balloting procedure that used to be in large part non violent aside from for a devastating capturing within the north of the rustic.

Police stated 4 males had been arrested at a polling station within the the town of Nyankpala, the place an opposition MP candidate had tried to document a criticism however used to be prohibited by way of ruling celebration supporters.

Squaddies have since been despatched to Nyankpala in armoured cars to revive calmness.

In different places election moment has been peacefully performed, with some Ghanaians queuing earlier than break of day to manufacture certain they forged their ballots.

Polling centres formally closed at 17:00 GMT, and election effects are anticipated to be introduced on Tuesday.

Ghana’s land borders had been closed till Sunday night, in a walk that correspondents describe as odd.

The West African population is assured a pristine president as Nana Akufo-Addo steps i’m sick next attaining the legitimate prohibit of 2 phrases in workplace.

However he may well be changed with a habitual face, if former President John Mahama succeeds in his comeback aim for the NDC celebration.

His primary challenger is predicted to be Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who would turn out to be the rustic’s first Muslim chief if he wins for the governing NPP celebration.

Alternative applicants come with Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman common with younger citizens and Alan Kyerematen, who defected from the ruling NPP celebration ultimate 12 months.

Related to 19 million Ghanaians are registered to vote.

In spite of Ghana not too long ago bringing in more difficult regulation to force up the numbers of ladies in frontline politics, just one lady is within the working to turn out to be president – Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Conference Public’s Birthday party (CPP).

The one alternative feminine presidential candidate on this election – Akua Donkor of the Ghana Independence Birthday party – died in October. But her title will nonetheless be indexed on poll papers for the reason that candidate selected to prevail her used to be disqualified.

Saturday’s common election additionally sees citizens in 275 constituencies around the nation opting for their contributors of parliament.

For the reason that go back of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992, handiest applicants from both the Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) or the governing Brandnew Patriotic Birthday party (NPP) have received the presidency.

Deny celebration has ever received greater than two consecutive phrases in energy.

To deliver to win within the first spherical, a presidential candidate will have to achieve greater than 50% of the vote. Failing that, the govern two contenders will input a run-off vote to hurry park by way of the tip of December.

Vote casting for the primary generation, 18-year-old Serwaa Yeboah Joshebeth advised the BBC “it is important for you to vote to choose the best for your country”.

The new graduate needs to peer extra process alternatives, “not for me alone but for others who need them [too].”

Kojo Yeboah, 95, concurs.

“The next leader must focus on education and jobs for the youth,” the retired college colleague advised the BBC out of doors a polling sales space within the town of Kumasi.

“I benefit from stipends from the state at my age already,” he provides.

As campaigns got here to a near on Friday, Bawumia stated of his primary rival: “What is clear is that notwithstanding the challenges we’ve had, we have performed better than the government of John Dramani Mahama.”

Age Mahama advised supporters “it is a choice between the Ghana we have today and the Ghana we want together. A Ghana of opportunity, prosperity, and justice for all.”

Ghanaians had been clash in particular hardened by way of inflation lately, which reached a height of 54.1% in 2022. Even though it has since to descend, many hundreds of folk had been driven into poverty and residing requirements have suffered, says the International Storage.

That very same 12 months, Ghana defaulted on its debt repayments and the federal government continues to be in long negotiations with global lenders to struggle and restructure the loans.

Unemployment could also be at a prime – in particular a few of the younger, whose perspectives will have a weighty have an effect on at the end result of the election.

Spare reporting by way of Favour Nunoo in Accra and Damian Zane in London