ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Polls opened in a general election in Ghana Saturday, poised to be a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. Some 18.7 million people are registered to vote in presidential and legislative elections but the two main candidates offer little hope for change for the nation.

Ghanaians voted in tight elections on Saturday, with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia trying to shake off anger over economic woes under the current government to stave off opposition party ex-presiden

"When we meet, the fertiliser and chemicals are big concerns." Following the pandemic, a painful cost-of-living crisis and a sovereign debt default, Ghana's economy is again growing. But the cocoa sector in the world's number 2 producer is in the throes of a crisis.

Cocoa farmers in Ghana could be a crucial bloc in Saturday's presidential election and, with their sector suffering a rapid production decline and hit by currency depreciation, many are angry. David Doyle has more.