2024 Elections: “Gari & beans (GOB3) sellers should have been added to the special voters list” – Bachelors in Kumasi raise concern

As Ghana approaches the much-anticipated 2024 general elections on Saturday, Dec 7, 2024, there have been growing concerns raised a some bachelors in Kumasi.

Among the vocal concerns is a group of bachelors based in Kumasi, who have raised an urgent appeal for these vital food vendors to be included in the special voters’ list.

Their concern is simple yet pressing: without access to food on Election Day, they may not be able to carry out their daily routines, leaving many without a meal.

In Ghana, “gari and beans aka Gob3,” a simple yet nutritious meal, is not only an affordable dish for many but also a source of livelihood for a significant portion of the population. The dish, commonly known as “gobe,” is widely sold by street vendors across the country, particularly in urban areas like Kumasi.

Many rely on these vendors as a quick, budget-friendly source of sustenance, especially those working long hours in the city.

For bachelors, students, low-income workers, and others who live away from home, purchasing gari and beans is often an essential part of their daily routine.

These sellers form a crucial part of the food supply chain, and their role cannot be overstated. However, the impact of the 2024 elections is casting uncertainty over their ability to continue providing food to their customers.

The special voters’ list was established to allow certain individuals, especially those involved in the electoral process, such as security personnel, health workers, and election officials, to cast their votes early. This measure ensures that those working during the elections are able to participate in the democratic process.

However, a significant group of individuals has been left out of this arrangement, including the sellers of essential street foods like gari and beans.

According to the bachelors in Kumasi, many of these vendors may be unable to leave their stalls on Election Day to vote without compromising their livelihood. Since the election falls on a day when food businesses remain in operation, these vendors may face the dilemma of choosing between exercising their right to vote or providing for their customers. This is a situation that can severely disrupt their businesses and, by extension, the daily lives of their customers.

For bachelors who rely on street food, particularly gari and beans, Election Day presents a potential food crisis. Many of these individuals don’t have the time or resources to prepare meals at home, especially given the busy nature of life in Kumasi. If gari and beans vendors are unable to sell their food on the day of the election, many may find themselves without affordable food options.

To address these concerns, the government and the Electoral Commission could explore ways to support informal sector workers. This may involve allowing vendors to vote early, possibly in designated booths near their workplaces, or granting them temporary time off during election day to fulfill their civic duty without disrupting their businesses.

The call from bachelors in Kumasi for the inclusion of gari and beans sellers on the special voters’ list is a reminder that the informal sector is integral to the functioning of Ghana’s economy. These vendors not only provide an affordable source of food but also represent the resilience and determination of many Ghanaians who live from hand to mouth. The solution to this concern lies in recognizing their needs and ensuring that the electoral process is inclusive of all workers, no matter their occupation.