ruling party - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Ghana ruling party presidential candidate says he opposes same-sex relations

THE presidential candidate of Ghana's ruling party, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, said that he was opposed to "the practice of homosexuality", a stance he promised to maintain if elected in December. President Nana Akufo-Addo faces pressure to sign into law one of Africa's most severe anti-LGBT bills, which has been criticised by rights advocates and the United Nations. Speaking at prayers marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Bawumia did not refer to the bill but said: "It is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality. "All…

Nov

2023

By MAXWELL AKALAARE ADOMBILA

Ghana ruling party picks VP Bawumia as presidential candidate

NEWS

GHANA'S ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) picked Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as its candidate for the December 2024 presidential election, teeing up a contest with former president John Mahama. The 60-year-old economist and former central banker has served as second-in-command and the face of economic policy throughout the presidency of Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who is due to step down in January 2025 after serving the constitutionally mandated eight years. He won 61% of votes cast in the second stage of the primary - a victory widely expected after coming first in the first stage in August. In his acceptance speech,…

Jun

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s ruling party is performing dismally, but a flawed opposition keeps it in power

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

AS power cuts continue, the economy falters, unemployment rises and the currency tumbles, South Africa’s political commentators tend to agree that support for the governing African National Congress (ANC) will fall under 50% in the 2024 national and provincial elections. If the party avoids a defeat, it could lead to a coalition government. Authors COLLETTE SCHULZ-HERZENBERG, Senior Lecturer in Political Science, Stellenbosch University ROBERT MATTES, Professor in Government and Public Policy, University of Strathclyde, and Adjunct Professor in the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, University of Cape Town It’s only logical to expect that governance…

May

2023

By The African Mirror

Paul Kagame could be president of Rwanda until 2035 – what’s behind his staying power

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

RWANDA’S ruling party, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), recently concluded its 16th congress. This also marked 35 years of its existence. The centre piece, however, was the election as chairman, yet again, of the country’s president Paul Kagame. With 99.9% of the votes – 2,099 of the available 2,102 votes – Kagame was re-elected and put on course to potentially run for yet another electoral term in 2024. Author DAVID E KIWUWA, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Nottingham The constitution allows Kagame to seek re-election until 2035. That’s a long way off and he has not indicated when…

Jul

2022

By The African Mirror

Congo Republic’s ruling party dominant in legislative elections

NEWS

CONGO Republic's ruling party emerged dominant in the first round of legislative elections held this month, the government said on Friday. The Congolese Labour Party (PCT) of President Denis Sassou Nguesso won nearly 110 seats out of 151, according to provisional results published by the minister of territorial administration. Parties allied with the PCT won 12 seats, while opposition parties won eight seats, the results showed. A second round is due before the end of August to fill the remaining seats. Sassou has ruled the Central African oil producer for a total of 38 years. He changed the constitution in…