Elections in Ghana over the decades have seen strong allegiance of some electorates and regions/ethnic groups towards some political parties. The most dominant parties, the NPP and NDC have seen decades of support in the core regions of Ashanti and Volta and from the Eastern and the Northern regions of the country, respectively. The total votes from these areas is quite substantial and significantly influences election outcomes in Ghana. For most people in these regions, voting decisions are made based on their allegiance towards their political parties and not based on rational evaluations of incumbent performance, current conditions, policies or campaign messages from contestants. The effect of these voting behaviours is anti-progressive and poses a challenge to the growth of the country.
This study investigates the relationship between political party loyalty and ethno-regional bloc voting in Ghana’s electoral system. It explores the trade-off for governance, accountability, and development. By analyzing past elections and responses from surveys, this study aims to shed light on the complex dynamics that shape Ghana’s political landscape and its consequences for democratic governance.
