Henry Quartey, Ghana’s Minister of the Interior, has announced the temporary closure of all land borders to safeguard the integrity of the country’s general elections.
The directive, issued in a statement on Friday, December 6, takes immediate effect and will remain in place until Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The Ministry has urged citizens and visitors to cooperate with State Security Agencies in implementing this measure.
Over 18 million registered voters are expected to participate in Ghana’s ninth general election under the Fourth Republic, where a new president and 275 members of parliament will be chosen.
The presidential race is a contest between Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In the lead-up to the polls, the NPP has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to remain alert, citing concerns over alleged electoral malpractices.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, campaign communications director for Dr. Bawumia, accused the NDC of employing dubious tactics in its stronghold, the Volta Region, during a press briefing on Friday, December 6.