Ghanaians vote Friday in a general election that pits the incumbent against the son of a former president in one of Africa's most stable democracies.

The west African nation is hailed as a beacon of peace and democracy in a region beleaguered with coups, conflicts and civil wars.

Incumbent leader John Dramani Mahama, a former vice president who took over after his predecessor died this year, is one of eight contenders vying for the top position.