In the heart of West Africa, Ghana has consistently demonstrated its commitment to democracy since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992.

One striking aspect of this democratic journey is the remarkable growth in the registered voter population over the past two decades. From a 3.21% decrease in 2004, the country's registered voter population has seen an impressive surge, more than doubling in size.  

Over the span of nearly three decades, Ghana's registered voter population has exhibited a dynamic pattern of growth and occasional setbacks. From 1992 to 1996, the nation witnessed a robust increase of approximately 1.88 million registered voters, marking an impressive 25.38% growth, which was further sustained from 1996 to 2000 with an additional 1.42 million new voters, representing a solid 15.29% growth rate.

However, 2004 saw a minor deviation from this upward trend as registered voters declined by some 3.21%, equating to 343,682 voters.

Remarkably, Ghana rebounded vigorously from this setback, experiencing a substantial increase of approximately 2.12 million registered voters from 2004 to 2008, indicating a remarkable growth rate of about 20.45%.

This upward trajectory continued with an increase of approximately 1.69 million voters (13.52%) from 2008 to 2012, followed by approximately 1.64 million (13.15%) from 2012 to 2016, and approximately 1.31 million (8.37%) from 2016 to 2020.

These fluctuations and recoveries in the registered voter population reflect the nation's unwavering commitment to democratic engagement and electoral participation over the years.

A multitude of factors converge to explain the extraordinary surge in Ghana's registered voter population. One pivotal force is the nation's expanding overall population, further driven by a burgeoning youth demographic brimming with enthusiasm to actively engage in the democratic sphere.

In tandem with this demographic dynamism, civic education initiatives and meticulously crafted awareness campaigns have emerged as indispensable catalysts, effectively galvanizing citizens to not only register but to also zealously exercise their fundamental voting rights.

Furthermore, Ghana's enviable record of peaceful transitions of power and the widespread perception of fairness and transparency in its electoral processes have collectively sowed the seeds of confidence among its populace.

This newfound confidence, in turn, acts as a powerful motivator, compelling an increasing number of individuals to register and enthusiastically cast their ballots, reinforcing Ghana's thriving democratic culture.

Key Milestones

Significant milestones punctuate Ghana's voter registration journey, painting a vivid portrait of its evolving democratic landscape. In the year 2000, a pivotal moment arrived as the registered voter population surged past the formidable 10 million threshold, symbolizing a burgeoning wave of civic engagement and a deep-seated interest in active participation within the democratic arena.

Fast forward to 2008, and Ghana achieved another remarkable milestone, surpassing 12 million registered voters, further underlining the nation's unwavering commitment to its democratic principles. In 2016, a resounding crescendo resonated as the voter population exceeded the 15 million mark, a testament to the ever-growing significance of democracy and civic involvement in the Ghanaian fabric. The present registered voter population, which witnessed a substantial increase from 2016 to 2020, is anticipated to undergo another upward surge in 2024.

Recent Developments

The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) initiated the process of registering new voters ahead of the District Level Elections scheduled for December 19th. This 21-day registration drive represents a departure from the previous practice of conducting limited registration exercises in specific electoral areas. However, five opposition political parties, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the helm, have filed a lawsuit against the EC regarding the upcoming limited voter registration exercise. They argue that the EC's decision to confine voter registration centers to their district offices may potentially deprive numerous eligible voters of their fundamental rights to voter registration and participation in public elections.

Opposition political parties in Ghana have vehemently criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) after introducing a new Constitutional Instrument (CI) to guide the 2024 general elections. This new CI aims to narrow the list of acceptable documents for voter registration to only the Ghana Card, eliminating options like driver’s license and passports. However, the concerns extend beyond the issues with the Ghana Card.

One major point of contention is the reduction in voter registration centers nationwide. With close to 20 million Ghanaians expected to be 18 years or older by 2024, the proximity and availability of centers have been of great concern. The ongoing limited voter registration intends to enroll over 1.3 million individuals who turned 18 since the last registration exercise in 2020. This means that Ghanaians in the 18 to 21 age group have not had the opportunity to have their names added to the voters’ register since 2020.

According to the EC’s plan, the registration process will occur in all 268 district offices of the Commission. However, a quick examination of non-urban constituencies reveals that many eligible registrants will need to spend more than $5 on transportation just to reach the constituency or district capitals where they can register. This amount is nearly four times Ghana’s prevailing minimum wage. The combination of distance, time, and transportation costs could discourage new voters and create an additional financial burden. Opposition parties have alleged that these actions represent government and EC strategies to disenfranchise certain voters, labelling it as a form of manipulation.

Additionally, the minority has accused the EC of sending faulty registration machines to their strongholds, further frustrating new voters attempting to obtain a voter’s ID for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. Despite filing a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission, the leading opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), asserts that it is closely monitoring the ongoing limited voter registration exercise. As we stated when we last commented on this subject in March, Ghana typically has free, fair and plain elections, but this will be one of its most closely fought.

The current government, largely viewed as profligate and wasteful, has a parliamentary majority of one propped by an independent MP whose loyalty is up for grabs in this cycle. The temperature just increased a few notches as West Africa’s second most important electoral exercise draws near.