Political economy analysis of party ideologies and electoral outcomes in Ghana

Gbensuglo Alidu Bukari

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.54

Authors

Gbensuglo Alidu Bukari University for Development Studies, Ghana Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8160-6620

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.54

Keywords:

Democracy, Economics, Election, Ideology, Politics, Political Party, Voting, Ghana

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of party ideology on electoral outcomes in Ghana, with a focus on the mediating roles of economic performance and socio-demographic factors. The study employs a cross-sectional time-series design grounded in the framework of political economy. Using electoral and macroeconomic data from 1992 to 2024, an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model estimates the determinants of vote share for Ghana’s major parties in the nine elections. Findings indicate that ideology provides insight into electoral preferences, but it has limited explanatory power without considering broader structural variables. Economic performance, especially Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and inflation, proves decisive, alongside regional and demographic influences. These findings, therefore, highlight that Ghanaian elections reflect complex interactions between ideology, economics, and voter choice in elections. Based on this conclusion, Political parties should enhance the substantive policy content of their ideologies by advancing coherent, implementable programmes, while institutional safeguards, particularly fiscal responsibility rules, must be reinforced to curb election-year distortions and promote long-term macroeconomic stability.

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