ACCRA - Ghana's electoral body on Friday approved 13 candidates including the two main contenders for December's presidential election expected to focus heavily on the economy.
The 7 December election takes place against economic recovery efforts following Ghana's severe financial crisis in 2022, which led the government to default on its external debt.
A key producer of oil, gold and cocoa, Ghana is gradually stabilising with a $3-billion relief package from the International Monetary Fund.
The ballot is set to be closely fought between frontrunners Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and opposition leader John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Electoral Commission said it had confirmed the final list of nine party candidates and four independents.
It followed "a thorough examination of the nomination forms submitted by the candidates to ensure conformity with requirements as set out in law," it said in a statement.
The independent candidates include former trade minister Alan Kyerematen, who broke away from the NPP after internal disputes.
Another is entrepreneur Nana Kwame Bediako, who has promised a pan-African agenda aimed at empowering the nation’s youth.
Out of 24 people who submitted nominations, 11 were disqualified, the commission said.
The vote will be the first time that two presidential candidates -- Bawumia and Mahama -- hailing from northern Ghana are standing.
Bawumia seeks to maintain the NPP’s hold on power after President Nana Akufo-Addo completes his second term.
Mahama is attempting to return to office after being voted out in 2016.
Electoral tensions are already rising, with the NDC staging recent nationwide protests demanding a forensic audit of the voter register.
The opposition claims the register contains the names of people who have died and illegally transferred voters, fuelling concerns over the fairness of the election.
Mahama has criticised the current administration for its handling of the financial crisis.
Bawumia, a key figure in the government's economic recovery strategy, says he aims to continue policies designed to stabilise the economy and attract foreign investment.