Future Reports

O n December 7, 2024, Ghana will conduct its presidential and parliamentary elections, a critical event in the country’s democratic journey. This election holds substantial importance for assessing Ghana's political stability, governance trends, and economic trajectory. As a leading democratic example in sub-Saharan Africa, the election reflects a maturing democracy, albeit with emerging complexities such as voter dynamics, socio-economic challenges, and increased political competition. Democratic Significance of the Election The upcoming election marks Ghana’s fifth presidential transition since its return to multiparty democracy in 1992. Ghana is lauded for its peaceful power transfers, even between rival parties like the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Such transitions reinforce the nation's democratic norms and set an example for the broader region​. A growing share of swing voters underscores the evolution of Ghana’s electorate. ...

Mozambique is experiencing significant civil unrest following a contested presidential election held on October 9, 2024. The ruling party, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), declared victory, with candidate Daniel Chapo securing the presidency. However, opposition parties and portions of the electorate allege widespread electoral irregularities, sparking mass protests across the country. The unrest reflects broader frustrations with governance, economic disparity, and the concentration of political power. The election results awarded FRELIMO a substantial majority in parliament, marking its continued dominance since Mozambique’s independence in 1975. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane and his party, Podemos, contest these results, citing their own vote counts, which show a significant lead for Mondlane. Independent and international observers, including the European Union, reported procedural irregularities such as alleged ballot stuffing and voter list tampering. M...

  In a landmark election result, Botswana’s ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) suffered a surprising defeat to the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), ending a nearly six-decade hold on power. Since Botswana’s independence in 1966, the BDP has dominated the political landscape, leading the nation through phases of rapid economic development and stability. However, this year’s election result signals that the winds of change are sweeping through the diamond-rich southern African country. Voters have expressed their desire for a new direction, prioritising economic reform and job creation amid rising economic challenges. The BDP’s popularity has waned in recent years, largely due to economic stagnation, high unemployment rates, and perceived inability to address the concerns of younger generations. Despite the BDP’s long-standing status as a political mainstay, its failure to adapt to shifting economic conditions created discontent. Botswana’s heavy reliance on diamo...