Ghana opposition leader Akufo-Addo votes in presidential election

Record ID: 76211

  • Title: Ghana opposition leader Akufo-Addo votes in presidential election
  • Date: 7th December 2016
  • Summary: KIBI, GHANA (DECEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF 'ROCK OF AGES' PREPARATORY SCHOOL VOTING STATION/ PEOPLE WAITING OUTSIDE OPPOSITION LEADER, NANA AKUFO-ADDO, ARRIVING WITH SECURITY AKUFO-ADDO AT VOTER REGISTERING TABLE/ PEOPLE FILMING ON PHONES LIST OF VOTER IDS / POLLING AGENT TAKING AKUFO-ADDO'S FINGERPRINT AND MARKING FINGER WITH DYE POLLING AGENT STAMPING AND FOLDING BALLOT AND HANDING IT TO AKUFO-ADDO AKUFO-ADDO TAKING BALLOT AND WALKING AWAY/ MEDIA FILMING AKUFO-ADDO WALKING TO BOOTH AKUFO-ADDO IN VOTING BOOTH AKUFO-ADDO WALKING AWAY FROM VOTING BOOTH/ CASTING VOTE IN BALLOT BOX (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, NANA AKUFO-ADDO, SAYING: "This is the day that matters, that determines whether the campaign is successful or not. It's very significant for me personally, but even more significant, it is for our country. First of all, it's very important that this process goes off efficiently and smoothly and peacefully so that Ghana continues to maintain this image, this deserved image of being a democracy that takes it democracy seriously." AKUFO-ADDO WALKING TO CAR WITH WIFE REBECCA/ CROWD OF PEOPLE MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2016 12:56
  • Keywords: Ghana election Akufo-Addo Mahama
  • Location: KIBI, GHANA
  • City: KIBI, GHANA
  • Country: Ghana
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015BVXH6V
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ghana opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo cast his ballot on Wednesday (December 7) as he runs for president against incumbent John Mahama for a second time.
    Accompanied by his wife Rebecca, Akufo-Addo voted in Kibi town the Eastern Region of south Ghana.
    Mahama is running for a second and final term against a backdrop of an economy that has slowed sharply since he took power.
    For years, Ghana had one of Africa's most dynamic economies but it hit the buffers in 2014 due to lower global prices for its gold, oil and cocoa exports and a fiscal crisis that featured a spike in the budget deficit and elevated inflation.
    Most political analysts say the vote could be close, with a strong challenge from NPP (New Patriotic Party) candidate and former foreign minister Akufo-Addo.
    Ghana is held up as a beacon of democracy in West Africa with a track record of peaceful elections. Twice since 2000 voters have rejected the government of the day.
    Political parties have sent thousands of agents to the country's 29,000 polling stations to spot any irregularities.
    The opposition says it has little faith in the electoral commission and its first-time commissioner Charlotte Osei.
    There are 15.7 million registered voters in the country of 26 million and 275 parliamentary seats are also being contested.
    Five other candidates are also contesting the presidency, though they are considered to have little chance of victory.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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