Meet the 13 Presidential Candidates for Ghana's 2024 General Election

Mahamudu Bawumia (born 7 October 1963) is a Ghanaian politician and the current Vice President of Ghana, serving since 7 January 2017.

He is a former central banker and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Bawumia has been elected as the NPP's presidential candidate for the 2024 general election, following his victory in the party’s primaries.

Early Life and Education

Bawumia was born in Tamale, Ghana, into a large family, the 12th of his father's 18 children. His father, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, was a teacher, lawyer, politician, and the paramount chief of the Kperiga Traditional Area. He also held various significant roles in Ghana's government, including serving as a Northern Regional Minister and Ghana's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Bawumia's mother, Hajia Mariama Bawumia, passed away in 2021.

Mahamudu Bawumia attended Sakasaka Primary School in Tamale and later gained admission to Tamale Secondary School in 1975. He continued his studies in the UK, earning a First Class Honours Degree in Economics from Buckingham University in 1987. He later obtained a master’s degree in Economics from Lincoln College, Oxford, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Simon Fraser University in Canada in 1995, specializing in areas like Macroeconomics, International Economics, and Monetary Policy.

Career in Banking and Public Service

Bawumia's career began as a lecturer in Monetary Economics and International Finance at Emile Woolf College of Accountancy in London. He later worked as an economist at the International Monetary Fund and served as Resident Representative of the African Development Bank in Zimbabwe.

In Ghana, Bawumia joined the Bank of Ghana in 2000, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Governor in 2006. During his time at the Bank, he played a pivotal role in several key economic policies, including the introduction of inflation-targeting frameworks and the redenomination of the Ghanaian cedi.

Political Career

Bawumia entered politics in 2008 when he was selected as the running mate to NPP presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. Though the NPP lost the 2008 and 2012 elections, Bawumia became known for his expertise in economic matters and his role as the lead witness in the NPP’s legal challenge to the 2012 election results.

In 2016, Bawumia was again chosen as Akufo-Addo’s running mate. The NPP won the election, and Bawumia became Vice President of Ghana. He retained this position after the NPP's victory in the 2020 elections.

Bawumia is widely known for his emphasis on digitization and modernization of Ghana’s economy, particularly through initiatives like mobile money interoperability, digital property addressing systems, and the e-zwich platform.

2024 Presidential Candidacy

In 2023, Bawumia declared his intention to run for the NPP's presidential nomination. He won the party's super delegates' congress with 68% of the vote and subsequently secured the party’s nomination on 4 November 2023, with 61.43% of the total valid votes cast. He will be contesting in the 2024 general elections as the NPP’s flagbearer.

Mr. Daniel Augustus Lartey, the 2000 presidential candidate of the Great Consolidated Popular Party, was born on August 1, 1926, at Winneba in the Central Region.

In 1940, he obtained a diploma at the London Chamber of Commerce and Sloan's Shorthand Certificate of Proficiency in 1942. He also obtained a diploma in commerce and industry from London School of Economics in 1956.

From 1944 to 1958, MR Lartey worked with the then United Africa Company (UAC) where he rose to Senior Management Status and was posted to the Headquarters at Unilever House, London.

Mr. Lartey established a number of businesses, including the Lartey and Lartey Books and Stationary, which later became the nucleus of the Ghana Book Supply, Citadel Printing Press and the Federal Stores of Nigeria. His political career started in 1969 when he contested the Gomoa East Constituency seat on the ticket of the National Alliance of Liberals (NAL). In 1972, he was appointed a special adviser to the government of the National Redemption Council. In 1978, he represented the Gomoa Ewutu-Effutu in the constituent assembly in the writing of the Third Republican Constitution.

Mr. Lartey was a founding member of People's National Party (PNP) in 1979 and was an aspiring presidential candidate of the National Independence Party (NIP) in 1992.

Akua Donkor (born 1952) is a Ghanaian politician, founder, and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP).

Donkor was born in February 1952 and hails from Afigya Kwabre District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. She is a cocoa farmer by profession. She is not known to have had any formal education.

Madam Donkor was elected assemblywoman for Herman, a step towards achieving her ambition of being the president of Ghana. Her ambition to be president is evident in the 2012 polls, where she applied to contest as an independent candidate.

However, she was barred by the electoral commission. Madam Donkor, on the other hand, does not agree with the decision. In her view, she should be addressed as Her Excellency, though she was disqualified. Her party, the Ghana Freedom Party, has its headquarters situated in Kabu in the Eastern Region of Ghana. However, this was gutted by fire on January 22, 2016.

This does not deter her ambition to become president. In her view, the start of a political party is a stepping stone to becoming president. Currently, Madam Donkor is in the process of opening regional offices for her party in all the regions of Ghana.

When elected as president, Madam Donkor promises to make free education from primary to secondary level. She also seeks to raise import taxes to enable people to import more, and she would also establish a free zone at the port of Tema to attract more businesses.

This can all be achieved through the use of Ghana's resources, such as gold, cocoa, shea butter, and salt. Buying the finished product of oil is just absurd, especially when Ghana is an oil-producing country and exports its oil in an unfinished form. Muammar Gaddafi, being her political icon, was of the view that Ghana should be able to rub shoulders with Libya in the production and sale of oil.

On October 10, 2016, the Ghana Electoral Commission announced it had disqualified Akua Donkor, together with 12 other presidential candidates, from contesting in the December 7, 2016 election. She admitted that her nomination form was freight with errors, as pointed out by the EC. She called on members and executives of the party not to lose hope as the party bounces back in 2020 to contest in the presidential race.

Christian Kwabena Andrews who is popularly called Osofo Kyiri Abosom is a Ghanaian pastor and politician. He launched his political party, Ghana Union Movement (GUM) in March 2019. He is also a farmer, entreprenueur and businessman.

As running mate, he appointed Abu Grant Lukeman who is the founder and general overseer of Life Assembly Worship Centre.

During the official of his party, he described himself as the new Kwame Nkrumah and declared that the spirit of Nkrumah is back.

Osofo Kyiri Abosom also made a pledge to break the duopoly between the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Parties.

Percival Kofi Akpaloo is a Ghanaian politician. He is the leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana. He was also the party's presidential candidate for the 2020 Ghanaian general election.

Akpaloo founded the Independent People's Party (IPP) in 2011. He was the leader of the party when it contested the 2012 Ghanaian general election but won no seats. He was disqualified from contesting the 2016 Ghanaian general election as the presidential candidate of the party by the Electoral Commission of Ghana, a decision he unsuccessfully contested in court.

Akpaloo dissolved the IPP and formed the Liberal Party of Ghana in its stead in March 2017. He was selected by the party to stand as its presidential candidate in the 2020 Ghanaian general election on 7 December 2020. Margaret Obrian Sarfo was chosen as his running mate

Akpaloo grew up in a big family and had a big family of his own with 6 children. In August 2024, Akpaloo garnered media headlines for saying that any man who must marry his daughter must first impregnate her. In an interview with Kingdom FM, he explained that having a child before marriage will show a man's seriousness and commitment to be with his daughter.

Mohammed Frimpong is the flagbearer of the National Democratic Party(NDP).

The party was established in 2012 by Nana Konadu Agyemang, a former first lady of Ghana and the wife of former president Jerry John Rawlings.

The National Democratic Party broke out of the National Democratic Congress with Mohammed Frimpong at the helm.

Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma is politician and the flagbearer of the Convention People's Party, CPP.

She attended the Mfantsiman Girls’ Secondary School in Saltpond for her secondary education and the Kumasi Polytechnic, where she obtained a Diploma in Business Studies.

She obtained further education at the Washington School for Secretaries, the Montgomery Community College and the Notre Dame University, all in the US.

According to her curriculum vitae (CV), she is also a former National Organiser of the 31st December Women’s Movement and one of the initial five people who developed the concept for the formation of the movement.

Ms Sarpong has worked with Working Mothers Incorporated, an employment agency for domestic care in the US. While there, she was in charge of the daily interviewing of clients and customers and the placement of advertisements, among other things.

John Dramani Mahama, born on November 29, 1958, in Damongo, Northern Region, Mahama's political career spans over two decades, marked by notable accomplishments and a deep commitment to national development.

Mahama first entered politics in 1997, when he was elected to represent the Bole/Bamboi Constituency in Parliament. His rise was swift, beginning as Deputy Minister of Communications and later becoming the substantive Minister in 1998. During his tenure, Mahama played a pivotal role in modernizing Ghana’s telecommunications sector following its deregulation. His leadership extended beyond national borders, as he became a prominent member of the Pan-African Parliament, where he chaired the West African Caucus from 2003 to 2011, deepening his influence on regional and international diplomacy.

In 2009, Mahama became Ghana’s Vice-President under President John Atta Mills. He was entrusted with key roles such as chairing the National Economic Management Team and the Armed Forces Council. Mahama’s time as Vice-President saw him working on major national initiatives, including advancing the decentralization process and overseeing critical reforms in the economic and telecommunications sectors. His foreign policy work also positioned him as a global statesman, engaging in diplomatic efforts across Africa and beyond.

On July 24, 2012, Mahama was thrust into the presidency following the sudden death of President Mills, making him the first Ghanaian head of state born after the country’s independence. As President, he championed the "Better Ghana Agenda," prioritizing infrastructure development, particularly in energy, health, and education. Under his leadership, Ghana saw the completion of numerous road, school, and hospital projects, as well as the expansion of electricity access to rural areas. However, his administration faced considerable challenges, including an economic downturn driven by global commodity price fluctuations and the persistent energy crisis known as "dumsor," which tested his leadership.

Mahama's tenure was also marred by allegations of corruption, a contentious issue that shaped the political narrative ahead of the 2016 general elections. Despite his efforts to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investments, he was defeated by Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 election, a race characterized by a strong opposition campaign focusing on economic management and transparency.

After his defeat, Mahama maintained an active presence in both national and international politics. He played a crucial role in the ECOWAS mediation efforts to resolve the post-election crisis in The Gambia in 2016 and continued to advocate for sustainable development through various global platforms. In 2020, he ran again for the presidency, positioning himself as a candidate for change in the face of growing public discontent over the economy and governance, although he was narrowly defeated.

In 2023, Mahama secured the overwhelming support of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to lead the party once again into the 2024 general elections. His campaign centers on addressing socio-economic challenges, restoring confidence in governance, and building a more inclusive Ghana. With decades of experience, both domestically and internationally, Mahama remains a formidable force in Ghana’s political landscape, continuously evolving as a leader who seeks to reconcile economic growth with social equity and democratic governance.

Hassan Ayariga is businessman, politician and the flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress political party.

Hassan Ayariga has a remarkable record of leadership and experience in business that embodies an unwavering passion and commitment to service.

Hassan was born on 4th September 1971 in Bawku in the Upper East Region of Ghana. His father Frank Abdulai Ayariga, was a member of parliament for the Bawku constituency during the third republic administration of Dr. Hilla Limann and his mother Anatu Ayariga, a business woman, whose passion for child education in the then impoverished northern sector of Ghana, made her stand her ground to ensure all her children and those in the community were educated.

Hassan grew up partly in Accra and Bawku before settling in Nigeria when his parents went on Exile after the overthrow of the Limann Administration. All through his childhood his parents taught him the values of service and responsibility and the blessings of his faith, Hassan Ayariga carries with him to this day. Due to the moving around by his father Hassan went to schools in Accra, Bawku and Tamale where he had his secondary education at Ghana Secondary School before moving to Nigeria where he attended Barewa College in Zaria, where he studied ACCA and then to the London School of Accountancy.

Kofi Koranteng was born on September 9, 1966, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. His proud parents Elizabeth Nyanteh and Reynolds Otchere-Koranteng were dedicated civil servants.

His mother was an administrative assistant at Osu Castle. His father was a police officer. Kofi was welcomed into the family by three older sisters, Otcherewa, Abayare, and Ohenewa.

He had his primary school education in Accra at Aggrey Memorial and continued in Kumasi at Garrison Primary. He had his senior high school education at Adisadel College located in Cape Coast and holds a degree in economics and business from New York University.

Kofi was raised in a family that was proud of Ghana by parents who had great hopes for the future prosperity of the country and their children. His parents were both raised in the Eastern Region in the town of Akropong Akuapim, where hard work and tradition were prized by its people. Most of the townspeople of Akropong Akuapim worked long hours harvesting snails and producing palm oil.

The town of Akropong Akuapim, home to the Adowa dance and the Odwira festival, instilled in Kofi’s parents a love and respect for the history of their nation. Elizabeth and Reynolds came of age in a time of great change during the independence of Ghana. A time that offered a new promise of freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and personal happiness for all Ghanaians.

They were ambitious with a drive to excel, pursuing the opportunities of education that would allow them to seek out careers and move to Accra. They believed in the promise of an independent Ghana.

Kofi Koranteng is a high-energy person who chases excellence in every endeavor. He believes in the power of people. In everything he undertakes, he seeks to teach, motivate, and encourage people to achieve success.

He is an entrepreneur who understands how sound business decisions and capital infusions lead to successful ventures. Dismayed by the powers that have taken over the government of Ghana for personal gain, Kofi has spoken out and fought them to do the right thing for the people of Ghana.

George Twum-Barimah-Adu (Uncle George) was born on 18 August 1963, the third child of the late Frank Brako Adu Snr. (Teacher Adu), a public servant, and the late Beatrice Mariam Ama Acheampong, a government school teacher at Old Tafo.

Uncle George is the nephew of the late Kwaku Boateng Esq, a former government minister in the government of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. A brother to Magaret Mary Adu (MD Aomega Lodges), Frank Brako Adu Jnr. (former MD of CAL Bank PLC), and the late Joseph Boakye-Danquah-Adu (former MP of Abuakwa North Constituency).

Uncle George attended Castle Road Methodist Primary School (Adabraka), Englebert School (Airport Residential Area), and Garrison Primary (Burma Camp) before attending Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC, Legon), now Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, from 1975 to 1980. After secondary school, Uncle George pursued a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the College of Arts and Sciences, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, Florida.

And later a Master of Arts in International Studies at the same university, graduating on April 19, 1991. At FIU, he was a student senator, representing the College of Arts and Sciences, chairman of the Board of Governors for the North Miami Campus, a faculty scholar, member of the Faculty Scholars Executive Board, and chairman of the Faculty Scholars Committee on housing.

Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Freedom Jacob Caesar or Cheddar, is a Ghanaian businessman and founder of the Kwarleyz Group, specializing in real estate, finance, and property management across West Africa.

He is the developer behind projects like Wonda World Estate and the proposed Petronia City. Additionally, Bediako founded the New Africa Foundation, which supports underprivileged children with medical, nutritional, and educational aid.

Bediako was born in Asokwa, Kumasi, and studied business at Waltham Forest College, UK. He began his entrepreneurial journey selling eggs and clothes and eventually diversified into scrap metal and telecommunications. He made his first million pounds through an online billing company during the dotcom boom before returning to Ghana to establish Kwarleyz Group.

In politics, Bediako leads the New Force movement in Ghana, which challenges the current political and economic structures. In January 2024, he announced his candidacy for the New Force but faced obstacles when his rally was postponed by the government.

Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, born on October 3, 1955, is a Ghanaian politician and corporate executive. He served as Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry from 2017 to 2023 and was the country's Ambassador to the U.S. from 2001 to 2003.

He played a key role in trade development within Ghana and Africa, serving as a trade advisor at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and heading the African Trade Policy Centre.

In September 2023, after losing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race, Kyerematen resigned from the NPP and formed the Movement for Change, an independent political movement, with plans to contest the 2024 general elections as a presidential candidate.

Kyerematen attended Adisadel College and Achimota School before earning an Economics degree from the University of Ghana and qualifying as a barrister. His corporate career includes senior roles at Unilever Ghana and the UNDP, where he promoted small and medium enterprises in Africa.

Politically, Kyerematen has long been involved with the NPP, serving on its National Executive Committee and running for party leadership multiple times. He is nicknamed "Alan Cash" for his focus on job creation and economic growth.