One shot dead at polling station, another wounded on election day in Ghana

Ghana’s general election has recorded violence, with one person fatally shot and another wounded at a polling station in Nyankpala.

Police on Saturday said one person has been shot dead at a polling station in Northern Ghana during the presidential and parliamentary elections

It happened at a polling station in the northern town of Nyankpala, where police say an opposition candidate running to become a local MP had attempted to file a complaint but was stopped by ruling party supporters.

Soldiers have since been sent there in armoured vehicles to restore calm.

Elsewhere election day has been peacefully conducted, with some Ghanaians queuing before dawn to make sure they cast their ballots.

A debt crisis and high living costs mean the economy is uppermost in the minds of many voters.

The West African nation is guaranteed a new president as Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after reaching the official limit of two terms in office.

But he could be replaced with a familiar face, if former President John Mahama succeeds in his comeback attempt for the NDC party.

His main challenger is expected to be Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who would become the country’s first Muslim leader if he wins for the governing NPP party.

Other candidates include Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman popular with young voters and Alan Kyerematen, who defected from the ruling NPP party last year.

Close to 19 million Ghanaians are registered to voted

Despite Ghana recently bringing in tougher legislation to drive up the numbers of women in frontline politics, only one woman is in the running to become president – Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

The only other female presidential candidate in this election – Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party – died in October. Yet her name will still be listed on ballot papers because the candidate chosen to succeed her was disqualified.

Saturday’s general election also sees voters in 275 constituencies across the country choosing their members of parliament.