In an unprecedented political season, the world witnessed Donald Trump's successful return to the White House, while Ghana's former president John Mahama leads the polls in his comeback bid. These parallel narratives of former leaders seeking redemption through the ballot box showcase a growing global trend where voters, disillusioned with incumbent governments' handling of economic challenges, are increasingly willing to give experienced hands a second chance [4][5].
The resurgence of these political figures stems from their ability to craft compelling economic messages that resonate with voters' immediate concerns. Trump's victory was anchored in promises of tax relief, including the elimination of federal taxes on tips and Social Security wages, while Mahama's campaign gains traction with pledges to scrap "draconian taxes" and implement a transformative 24-hour economy to boost employment [7][8]. These comeback campaigns offer valuable insights into how former leaders can effectively position themselves as solutions to current challenges, particularly in contexts where economic hardship dominates public discourse.
America First 2.0: Trump's Winning Formula
Donald Trump's successful return to the presidency was built on a carefully crafted platform that resonated deeply with American voters' economic and social concerns. At the heart of his campaign was a renewed commitment to economic nationalism, promising to protect American jobs through aggressive trade policies, including a 10% across-the-board tariff on all imports and targeted tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods [6]. His immigration agenda emerged as one of his most stringent yet, pledging to complete the border wall, deploy troops for border protection, and launch what he described as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history [4]. Trump's economic promises centered on tax relief, including the elimination of federal taxes on tips, Social Security benefits, and overtime pay, while also proposing to reduce corporate tax rates [6]. He further strengthened his appeal by opposing environmental regulations and EV mandates, promising to boost traditional manufacturing sectors like energy and technology through deregulation [4]. This comprehensive platform was bolstered by his pledge to counter inflation through reduced government spending and a focus on strengthening domestic industry. However, economists note these policies could potentially widen income inequality and increase the deficit [4][5]. His campaign effectively tapped voters' concerns about the cost of living and economic security, despite criticism that many proposals lack specific implementation details and would require congressional approval [6].
Ghana's Economic Reset: Mahama's Blueprint for Revival
John Mahama's campaign for Ghana's presidency centers on an ambitious economic transformation agenda that directly addresses the nation's pressing challenges. His flagship proposal of a "24-hour economy" aims to optimize job creation and productivity through a three-shift work system, particularly targeting Ghana's 14% unemployment rate that has pushed many young professionals like Nathaniel Quainoo to consider leaving the country [4][5]. The comprehensive economic package includes a bold $10 billion "Big Push Initiative" to be implemented over five years, with $3 billion specifically earmarked for private sector-led ICT investments to accelerate infrastructure development and create jobs[4]. Mahama's healthcare vision promises free primary healthcare for all Ghanaians at district hospitals, polyclinics, clinics, health centers, and CHPS compounds [4]. To stimulate business growth, his plan includes tax exemptions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), allowing them to reinvest profits for expansion and youth employment, while also establishing national employment centers across all regions to connect job seekers with employers through tax incentives [4]. This comprehensive approach comes at a critical time when Ghana grapples with severe economic challenges, including a 54% inflation rate and a currency depreciating by 70% over the past eight years [5].
Economic Recovery Focus: Tapping into Voter Frustration
The comeback campaigns of both Donald Trump and John Mahama have strategically centered on economic recovery, though with distinctly different approaches. Trump's successful campaign capitalized on widespread frustration over high prices and inflation, with AP VoteCast showing that 3 in 10 voters felt their families were "falling behind" financially, while about 9 in 10 voters expressed serious concerns about grocery costs, healthcare, housing, and gasoline prices [5]. His economic platform promised immediate relief through tax cuts on tips and Social Security benefits, alongside aggressive trade policies including a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports [4]. Meanwhile, Mahama's campaign in Ghana addresses similar economic anxieties with more structural solutions, including a comprehensive $10 billion "Big Push Initiative" for infrastructure development, of which $3 billion is earmarked for private sector-led ICT investments [7]. His signature "24-hour economy" policy aims to transform Ghana's economic landscape through a three-shift system designed to boost employment and productivity, while also promising tax exemptions for small and medium enterprises to encourage business expansion and youth employment [10]. Both leaders have effectively tapped into voter dissatisfaction with current economic conditions, though Trump focuses more on protectionist policies and tax relief, while Mahama emphasizes structural economic transformation and job creation.
Anti-Establishment Messaging: Different Paths to Power
Donald Trump and John Mahama have crafted distinct anti-establishment narratives, though their approaches and contexts differ significantly.
Trump's Outsider Stance
Trump has maintained his anti-establishment position by portraying himself as a disruptor of the Washington elite. He demonstrates open contempt for Washington, which resonates with millions of Americans who are disillusioned with the establishment and its representatives [4]. Despite his previous presidency, Trump continues to position himself as the champion of "forgotten" communities and blue-collar workers, deliberately distancing himself from Wall Street and the political elite [4].
Mahama's Reset Narrative
Mahama's approach is more institutionally focused, promising to "reset" Ghana through systematic reforms rather than wholesale disruption. His campaign emphasizes restoring fiscal and debt sustainability, implementing a comprehensive economic transformation agenda, and rebuilding trust in public institutions [6]. Unlike Trump's confrontational stance, Mahama presents himself as an experienced leader who can reform the system from within, promising to launch forensic audits into previous government actions and restore confidence in Ghana's economy [6].
Policy Contrasts
The two leaders' anti-establishment messaging reflects their different political contexts:
- Trump emphasizes economic nationalism and promises to "drive out the globalists"[5]
- Mahama focuses on practical economic reforms, including a $10 billion "Big Push Initiative" and the implementation of a 24-hour economy [6]
This divergence in anti-establishment messaging reflects the different political and economic challenges facing their respective countries, with Trump capitalizing on cultural grievances while Mahama on specific economic hardships.
Cues for Liberian 2029 election
Based on Liberia's current challenges and development needs, the opposition has several compelling policy opportunities to consider. The country's 54% inflation rate and widespread poverty, with over 71.2% experiencing multi-dimensional poverty and 33.2% severely poor [12], provide a strong foundation for economic reform proposals. Opposition leaders could focus on addressing the critical unemployment issue, particularly given that over 90% of youths lack access to formal employment [10]. Infrastructure development promises would resonate strongly, as the country faces severe limitations in basic services - only 0.8 hospital beds per 1,000 population exist [10], and the road network remains dilapidated, particularly constraining growth in remote areas[5]. Healthcare accessibility represents another crucial policy opportunity, as Liberia's public health facilities currently lack adequate staff, prescription drugs, equipment, and infrastructure[5]. The opposition could also advocate for small business support and tax reforms, particularly important given that informal employment comprises 79.9% of the workforce[10]. A comprehensive economic development strategy could include reducing barriers to business formalization, providing farming equipment through cooperative models, and implementing tax incentives for manufacturing companies [4]. These policy focuses align with identified development priorities while addressing immediate citizen concerns about cost of living and economic opportunity.
Winning Strategy: Lessons from Successful Comeback Campaigns
The successful campaign strategies employed by Trump and Mahama demonstrate that effective political comebacks require a delicate balance of experience and innovation, coupled with concrete, actionable solutions to pressing economic challenges. Their campaigns show that voters respond most strongly to specific, implementable policies that address immediate concerns like cost of living, employment, and economic security, rather than abstract promises. For opposition parties seeking to build successful campaigns, the key lesson is clear: combine practical economic solutions with direct voter engagement while offering tangible paths to reform rather than theoretical proposals. This approach proves particularly effective in environments where citizens face significant economic pressures and seek immediate, practical solutions to their daily challenges.
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References:
[5] https://24houreconomy.org/news/2024-election-key-policies-announced-by-john-mahama-presidential-candidate-of-ndc
[6] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/steve-kornacki-trump-harris-battleground-state-sweep-rcna179991
[7] https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/politics/john-mahama-11/2024/
[8] https://www.voanews.com/a/ghana-s-election-expected-to-be-highly-competitive-/7889499.htmlElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[9] https://www.myjoyonline.com/mahama-24-hour-economy-policy-to-boost-economy-stimulate-growth/Electoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
https://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/sites/rockefeller.prod/files/pbpl85_17f_final_memo_execsum.pdfElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[5] https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/1d454fc8-d4d3-5904-8cca-813118460961/contentElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[6] https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/LBR
[7] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/pt/818891563588205526/pdf/Liberia-Public-Financial-Management-Reforms-for-Institutional-Strengthening-Project.pdf
[8] https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/CDCS_Liberia_June_2024.pdf
[9] https://www.eisa.org/storage/2024/05/2023-ieom-final-report-liberia-eisa.pdf
[10] https://liberia.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/UN%20Liberia%20Socio-Economic%20Response%20Plan%20-%20Final.pdfElectoral Comebacks, Comparative AnalysisElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[11] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2024-02/Promoting%20more%20inclusive%20and%20accountable%20democracy%20in%20Liberia_DOA_0.pdfElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[12] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-10/unsdcf_liberia_-_2020-2024_0.pdfElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[4] https://communist.red/donald-trumps-populism-what-does-it-represent/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_2024_presidential_campaign
[6] https://johnmahama.org/files/shares/2024%20Manifesto_Abridged.pdf
[7] https://starrfm.com.gh/2024/11/mahamas-campaign-messages-resonate-with-hope-to-ghanaians-joseph-apenteng/
[8] https://ghana.dubawa.org/john-mahama-poised-for-reset-vows-to-redeem-ghana-from-economic-depression/Electoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[9] https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-wins-second-term-policies-de3dcf0f173b42602b258042fd7aaafb
[4] https://time.com/7095898/donald-trump-economy-plan-2024/
[5] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/frustrated-americans-who-voted-for-trump-await-the-economic-changes-he-promised
[6] https://www.dw.com/en/ghana-votes-amid-hopes-of-economic-revival/a-70989866
[7] https://thebftonline.com/2024/11/25/big-push-mahamas-blueprint-for-infrastructure-development/Electoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
[8] https://johnmahama.org/files/shares/FAQs-on-Mahamas-24-hour-strategy.pdf
[9] https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/11/14/fact-check-what-are-trumps-plans-for-us-economy-immigration-abortionElectoral Comebacks, Comparative Analysis
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