Highlights: Presidential election in Ghana: the masked candidate who wants to shake up the political landscape. Alongside Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia and former President John Mahama, a third man entered the race. “I came to bring economic independence and freedom to Africa,” Nana Kwame Bediako declared to RFI, in a confident tone with messianic overtones. This self-proclaimed philanthropist wants to seduce Ghanaian youth by tapping into their disillusionment with the political class.

The race for the presidential election next December is already in full swing. Alongside Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia and former President John Mahama, a third man entered the…

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Presidential election in Ghana: the masked candidate who wants to shake up the political landscape

The race for the presidential election next December is already in full swing. Alongside Vice-President Mahamadu Bawumia and former President John Mahama, a third man has entered the battle: Nana Kwame Bediako, a rich 43-year-old entrepreneur, wants to shake up the Ghanaian political landscape. He first appeared masked, creating a buzz on social networks. But at the beginning of January, he revealed his identity and his ambitions.

A campaign poster of candidate Nana Kwame Bediako, after he revealed his identity behind the masked individual who was agitating social networks, in the Volta region, Ghana, January 9, 2024. AFP - NIPAH DENNIS

By: Christina Okello Follow

“

I came to bring economic independence and freedom to Africa

,” Nana Kwame Bediako declared to RFI, in a confident tone with messianic overtones.

This self-proclaimed philanthropist wants to seduce Ghanaian youth by tapping into their disillusionment with the political class. “

We should not let someone who has already lived their life build our future. Today's young people want change, they want someone who will bring them economic prosperity

,” he said.

Creating prosperity is something the leader of the New Force movement prides himself on. He built his fortune in real estate and wants to apply the same recipe to restore the Ghanaian economy, focusing in particular on the industrialization of the country's 16 regions, like the father of independence Kwame Nkrumah, his idol. .

“

Wearing a mask gives you power
”

Another seduction strategy: communication. A fan of social networks, Nana Kwame Bediako made himself known thanks to a sophisticated poster campaign, where he appeared as a masked man, fueling public speculation during the weeks. “

Back then, our ancestors wore a mask to send a message to their adversaries. Anonymity was a strategy

, he emphasizes.

But you have to see the mask as a new Marvel story. Like the fictional country of Wakanda in the movie Black Panther. Wearing a mask gives you power.

An attractive speech, but analysts doubt that this atypical candidate will be able to break the two-party system in place for four decades in

Ghana

Read alsoGhana: Mahamudu Bawumia will be the ruling party's candidate for the 2024 presidential election

Presidential election in Ghana: the masked candidate who wants to shake up the political landscape

Presidential election in Ghana: the masked candidate who wants to shake up the political landscape

“

Wearing a mask gives you power
”

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Presidential election in Ghana: the masked candidate who wants to shake up the political landscape

Presidential election in Ghana: the masked candidate who wants to shake up the political landscape

“ Wearing a mask gives you power ”

You may like

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“

Wearing a mask gives you power
”