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ABSTRACT
In this paper, I seek to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on voter behaviour in the 2020 general elections in Ghana using survey data compiled in Greater Accra between July and August 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic became a major campaign issue in last year’s election prompting varied responses and support from both the government and the main opposition parties. Though a majority of the electorate were satisfied (83.5%) and grateful (82%) for the relief items they received, only 3 out of every 10 of the respondents think the intervention had an effect on the way they voted. Using the rally-effect theory, the paper finds that the political leadership and incumbent government were able to rally support for their campaign as a result of the social intervention policies implemented in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, yet were unable to sustain and translate that support into electoral victory in the Greater Accra Region, a major swing region with the highest number of Covid-19 cases and one of the only two regions that witnessed a lockdown during the height of the pandemic.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 See ‘Coronavirus: Greater Accra lead Covid-19 infections for Ghana’ https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/world-52510586
2 Source: Electoral Commission of Ghana. This was the voter population used for the 2019 District Assembly Elections.
3 President’s address to the nation on Covid-19; Update number 1 (15/03/2020) accessed at https://presidency.gov.gh/index.php/briefing-room/speeches?start=30 on 23/03/2021.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 This is based on the 2020 exchange rate of 5.32 Ghana Cedis to the Dollar.
11 Ibid, President’s Updates on Coronavirus.
12 Ibid, President’s Update on Covid.
13 Ibid, President’s Update on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
14 Ibid, President’s Update on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
15 Ibid, President’s Update on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
16 Ibid, President’s Update on the Coronavirus Pandemic
17 The team members included Mr Alex Segbefia, Professor Margaret Kweku, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Dr Vida Yarkong, Dr Jehu Appiah, Mr Prosper Bani, Mr Cassiel Ato Forson, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akando, Dr Ezanetor Rawlings, Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, Dr Jonas Asamoah, Dr Prosper Akanbong and Nana Kofi Quakyi.
30 https://kasapafmonline.com/2020/04/covid-19-mahama-donates-ppes-to-cape-coast-teaching-hospital/.
32 i.e. Accra Metropolis, Tema Metropolis, Tema West Municipality, Ledzokuku Municipality, Krowor Municipality, Adentan Municipality, Ashiaman Municipality, La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality, La-Dade-Kotopon Municipality, Okaikwei North Municipality, Ablekuma North Municipality, Ablekuma West Municipality, Ablekuma Central Municipality, Ayawaso East Municipality, Ayawaso North Municipality, Ayawaso West Municipality, Ayawaso Central Municipality, Ga West Municipality, Ga North Municipality, Ga Central Municipality, Ga South Municipality, Ga East Municipality, Korle-Klottey Municipality, Weija/Gbawe Municipality and Kpone Katamanso Municipality.
33 The parliamentary seats lost were Okaikwei North, Ablekuma Central, Ledzekuku, La Dade Kotopon, Krowor, Tema East, Adentan, La Nkwantanang-Madina.
34 The parliamentary seats retained were Bortianor Ngleshi Amanfrom, Weija Gbawe, Anyaa Sowotuom, Trobu, Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma West, Tema West, Tema Central, Ablekuma North and Okaikwei South.