ACCRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaians went to the polls Saturday as the country's 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections commenced, with many voters optimistic for more jobs, improved living conditions, and infrastructural development.
Voting began at 7 a.m., local time, in most of the polling centers across the West African country.
Jude Lartey, a resident of Ashaiman near Tema, the country's eastern port city, is a first-time voter. The 19-year-old student of the University of Ghana is beaming with excitement as he will be among millions of eligible voters who will elect the next president of Ghana.
"This year's election is about the future of this country, and I will vote for a candidate who prioritizes providing jobs for the unemployed youth. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to be among the decision-makers in the country," said Lartey.
Vicent Addison, also a first-time voter, is a mechanic, 21. As he waited for his turn in a queue at the St. Mark Educational Complex polling station, he told Xinhua that infrastructural development and cost of living are the issues he will consider before casting his ballot. "I feel proud to be among the Ghanaians who will be voting today. The provision of a good road network and the construction of drains to keep our communities neat are key to me, and that, together with the cost of living, are what will inform my choice today."
Eugenia Tamakloe, 48, a civil servant and a single mother of three, who will be voting for the eighth time, said she will travel to her home region to cast her ballot. According to her, she saw it as a duty to take part in the general election and vote for a party that would work towards improving the cost of living among the people.
"For me, one of the issues that is very important going into this election is the cost of living, and I have read and listened to the policies of the major parties and will vote for the one that I think can help address my concern," she said.
A total of 13 candidates are competing in the presidential election, with major political parties including the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) vying for 276 parliamentary seats.
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 5 p.m., local time, across all 276 constituencies in Saturday's general elections, after which counting of ballot papers will commence. ■