Ghana’s election 2024: Africa’s political dynamics and global peace implications

By Rev. Elikem Kofi Paton Anyah – President, The Patonite/Refined Enlightenment

As Ghana approaches its highly anticipated general elections in December 2024, political analysts and observers are paying close attention, not only because of the stakes for domestic governance but also for the broader implications the polls may have on regional stability and global geopolitics.

In a recent comprehensive commentary, Reverend Elikem Kofi Paton Anyah, President of The Patonite/Refined Enlightenment, makes a compelling case for why Ghana’s elections matter beyond its borders. His 35-page exposition explores the intersection of politics, religion, identity, and Ghana’s role as a symbolic epicentre of African political maturity.

A Nation at the Crossroads

Ghana, widely celebrated as the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from colonial rule, has long served as a model of democratic progress on the continent. Its strategic location near the meeting point of the Prime Meridian and the Equator, placing it at the geographical center of the world, adds to its symbolic and, some argue, spiritual significance.

Reverend Anyah suggests that Ghana’s centrality on the globe is more than a geographical coincidence. He argues that the nation carries an unseen but vital cosmic responsibility to lead Africa into an era of peace, justice, and sustainable development. And the 2024 elections, he notes, provide a key opportunity to affirm that role.

Religion, Identity, and Political Dynamics

This year’s presidential race features a unique lineup: three leading candidates from Ghana’s northern regions, each with distinct religious backgrounds. Among them are the two frontrunners representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), both of whom are Muslims, a significant departure from Ghana’s historical Christian leadership norm.

While this religious diversity is a sign of Ghana’s pluralism, Reverend Anyah warns that it could also become a flashpoint if politicised, especially in light of ongoing global religious tensions such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. He urges political actors to exercise restraint and for the media to avoid framing the elections through polarising religious lenses.

A Call for Civic Maturity

The commentary highlights the need for civic education and political maturity, especially among youth and voters in the northern regions, often stereotyped as hotspots for electoral violence. Reverend Anyah calls on Ghanaians to reject violence and embrace the democratic process, positioning themselves as global ambassadors of peace and responsible citizenship.

He also critiques the dominance of the two main political parties, the NPP and NDC, which have alternated in power since the return to constitutional rule in 1992. He suggests that the country may benefit from fresh political leadership and a break from entrenched partisan dynamics.

Africa’s Broader Political Landscape

Reverend Anyah expands his analysis to the wider West African region, drawing comparisons with political developments in countries such as Liberia, Senegal, and Nigeria. He argues that many parties in Africa’s young democracies struggle to transition from opposition activism to governance, often defaulting to populism rather than institutional development.

For Ghana, the 2024 elections are a litmus test, not only of the NPP’s desire to break the two-term governance cycle but also of whether any new or independent candidates can mount a credible challenge to the entrenched political order.

Ghana’s December polls offer more than just a choice of leadership. As Reverend Anyah frames it, they are a test of national character, political evolution, and global responsibility. At a time when Africa’s democratic image is under scrutiny, amid coups, contested elections, and rising authoritarianism, Ghana has an opportunity to reaffirm its place as a beacon of stability, peace, and progress.

The world will be watching.

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