Mahama is in a strong position to win Ghana's election

Significance The election is widely regarded as a referendum on the legacy of President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has reached his constitutional two-term limit. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will face off against former President John Mahama (2012-17) of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Impacts Independent and third party figures such as Nana Kwame Bediako may win enough votes to force a runoff in the presidential election. A closer-than-expected presidential race or delays in either that contest or the parliamentary election may trigger legal challenges. Despite headline macroeconomic stabilisation, most Ghanaians will feel no cost-of-living improvements in the coming months. The next administration may avoid signing an anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law to avert major aid cutoffs. An NPP loss in the presidential race may leave the party without a clear leader after Akufo-Addo leaves office.