Electoral Competition in Ghana's Fourth Republic: A Case Study of Odododiodioo and Akwatia Constituencies, 2000-2012

Abstract

Since 1992, Ghana has engaged in competitive elections that have produced interesting results. However, violence has characterized most of the elections which have undermined their competitiveness. The two constituencies, Odododiodioo and Akwatia have been cited to notorious election violence areas. Relying on the empirical data from these constituencies, the study found that the two dominant political parties, the NPP and NDC have demonstrated persistence intolerance. The parties have resorted to ethnic mobilization in their campaigns. The NDC has appealed to the minority settlers of the northern descent whilst the NPP has appealed to the Akan natives. As a result, campaigns have evinced tension, acrimony and intimation. The study noted that only political campaigns that focus on issues of economic conditions, poverty alleviation, and development projects including water, sanitation, and decongestion of settlements would bring tension, intimidation, violence and acrimony to a halt. But this requires cooperation of all the stakeholders.