The Success of Democracy in Ghana

Yesterday citizens in Ghana flocked to the polls for the second round of elections. The first round of simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections held in Ghana on 7^th December 2008 was closely fought between the major parties. The contest was largely peaceful, free and fair. Parties mobilized supporters through party rallies and local canvassing, with news coverage reflecting diverse views and perspectives. Competition in the presidential and parliamentary contests was intense, especially between the two major parties. Both sides claimed some electoral irregularities occurred, especially in the second round of the presidential contest, but the first round was peaceful. After the first round, the EU Election Observation Mission reported that the elections met all international standards. Elections were conducted in an 'open, transparent and competitive environment' respecting the right to stand for election and to vote, with widespread freedoms of assembly, expression and movement. The outcome was even more remarkable on a continent where fragile democratic transitions have often collapsed with sudden reversals.

Experiments with democracy in Africa have failed for many reasons; presidents fail to respect term limits, minor electoral irregularities in close contests (such as in Kenya) can trigger sudden tensions and violent street protests, and the existence of predominant parties (such as in mean that peaceful rotations of power from the government to opposition parties are relatively infrequent.

How did the Kenyan election a year earlier trigger such a violent outcome while, by contrast, the first round of the Ghanaian contest was widely recognized by observers at home and abroad as meeting the international standards for a democratic election? And, even more importantly, what are the broader implications of the marked contrasts between these particular contests for understanding the not-so-simple relationship between elections and democratic governance?

Ghanaian democracy

A half-century ago, Ghana was the first African state to achieve independence following colonial rule. In 1966 its first president and pan-African hero, Kwame Nkrumah, was deposed in a coup, heralding years of mostly-military rule. In 1981 Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings staged his second coup. The country began to move towards economic stability and democracy. In April 1992 a constitution allowing for a multi-party system was approved in a referendum, ushering in a sustained period of democracy. Since then, Ghana has experienced periodic multiparty contests which international observers have regarded as free and fair. The constitution specified that presidential elections are held using the 2^nd ballot majoritarian system, while the 230 parliamentary members are elected for a four year term in single member constituencies using a first-past-the-post election system. The two largest political parties that dominate contemporary politics in Ghana, the liberal democratic New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the social democratic National Democratic Congress (NDC), have both enjoyed two consecutive terms in presidential office and majorities in parliament, the NDC from 1992-2000 and the NPP from 2000-2008. In December 2000, John Kufuor was elected as president, succeeding Jerry Rawlings in a peaceful transition of power. Re-elected in 2004, President Kufuour stepped down voluntarily four years later, observing the constitutional two-term limit.

First round contests on 7 December 2008

In the run up to December 7 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections, parties campaigned freely across the country, on policy driven issues such as social welfare and the economy and they published comprehensive manifestos. The campaign environment was lively and the parties canvassed voters door-to-door, holding a series of peaceful local rallies and town-hall meetings across Ghana, with the presidential candidates of the NPP and NDC touring the country. A series of independent polls were published in the media. Debates between the presidential candidates of the four parties with parliamentary representation were broadcast live via the major media outlets. Public and private sector broadcasting channels offered extensive news reporting about the campaign, especially coverage of the major parties and presidential candidates, and a large number of discussion programs. Newspapers provided a diverse range of views and covered all of the major events organized by the parties during the campaign, although as was the case with broadcasters, they focused their coverage on the larger political parties. There were also many paid political advertisements in the media and at times these were used to openly criticize opposing parties. The absence of any legal campaign spending limits meant that political parties were free to use unlimited resources. Both the NDC and NPP organized highly developed campaign strategies.

In the first round of the presidential contest, the governing party candidate was Nana Akufo-Addo, one of the founding members of the New Patriotic Party when multi-party democracy returned to Ghana, and an advocate of human rights. He faced the opposition candidate, Professor John Atta Mills, a social democrat heading the National Democratic Congress party, and six other minor party candidates who also threw their hat into the ring. The first round election among all contestants ended on a knife-edge; the popular vote was evenly divided between Akufo-Addo (49.1%) and Atta Mills (47.9%), with scattered support for others. As no single candidate gained an absolute majority, the outcome was decided by the second round contest between the two leading candidates. This round saw an extremely close contest where Atta Mills won a slender lead over the governing party's Akufo-Addo.

The parliamentary elections held on 7^th December, held under plurality single member rules, proved equally competitive. The result saw the governing New Patriotic Party fall to 107 parliamentary seats with 49% of the popular vote. It was overtaken in a tight race by the opposition National Democratic Congress, gaining 114 seats, with a more efficient distribution of support as it won only 47% of the national popular vote. Two minor parties and four independents were also returned as members of parliament.

The European Union was among a host of institutions observing these contests, including the Carter Centre, ECOWAS, African Union, and over 4000 representatives from the Coalition of Domestic Observers (CODEO). The EU reported that the Electoral Commission who administered the contests proved impartial, professional, and independent, ensuring the transparency of the process. Electoral observers and party agents were able to observe all stages of polling, vote counting, and aggregation. There were clear legal channels for complaints and appeals challenging the results and the Commission worked to ensure conciliation and acceptance of the process among the major stakeholders. There were some minor administrative irregularities experienced on polling day during the first round, but the Electoral Commission apologized for these and sought to rectify the situation. A series of public forum, organized by the National Peace Council (NPC), brought together all major stakeholders and parties to discuss the polling process, to diffuse any discontent, and to offer recommendations for future contests.

The second round presidential contest on 28^th December 2008

With the election count now underway, the outcome of the second round is currently unknown. If the second round contests are resolved in a peaceful and orderly manner, the outcome will be all the more remarkable because Ghana lacks many of the social and economic conditions which are commonly associated with stable democracies. An ethically-divided society, by languages and religions, there are estimated to be more than 100 distinct groups, including the Akan, Ewe, Mole-Dagbane, Guan, and Ga-Adangbe. Ghana is also one of the poorest countries in the world, with an average per capita GDP of $1,400. One third of the population live below $1.25 a day. Francophone West Africa is one of the poorest and most unstable regions of the world; autocracies in Mauritania, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic coexist with fragile states engaged in peace-building after protracted conflict, including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. Within a few days of Ghanaians going to the polls, in Guinea the death of a dictator triggered a chaotic military coup.

Yet overall the first round of the Ghanaian elections was judged by domestic and international observers to be a considerable success, another largely-orderly and peaceful contest further consolidating Ghana's successive steps towards stable democracy. In 2008, Freedom House rated Ghana 1.5 on its 7-point index of political rights and civil liberties, comparable to Greece, Israel, South Korea, and Bulgaria. We currently await the outcome of the final contest but so far the election represents a beacon of hope for democracy in a region noted by a checkered history for political stability and human rights.

Comments

[autopchoita]

http://www.teh-snabgenie.ru/images/generatory-dlya-dachi.jpg
http://www.teh-snabgenie.ru/images/generatory-dlya-dachi2.jpg

Tegs: плазменная резка металла купить дизельный генератор для дачи электростанции бензиновые.

электростанции бензиновые
fubag
концентратор кислорода

генераторы для дачи отзывы

[dtvnews.ru]

the latest news from the world of television

[inexpensive bedroom sets]

Can you please write more blog entries on this subject, its a request, because after reading your blog I am highly interested in learning more.

[unforgetable journeys]

It is very nice. Thanks, I bookmarked.
http://rent-holidayvilla.com/winter/travel-to-austria

[cheap ski deals]

I like it very much and I am happy I can see things better after I read this. http://holidaybooking.co/beach-villas

[hong kong flower delivery]

I got many reference about this topic but your one is wonderful. When I started to read article I was thinking about the way you present such great topic. By the way could you please post more article on such topic ? I really appreciate it.

[Lexia-3]

some manufacturer specific, DTC, displays the I/M readiness status, views OBD II freeze frame data, displays pending codes. lyj

[VAS 5054A]

ord, VAG dashboard reset, BMW dashboard reset, Nissan key programming, motorcycles diagnostic software, Malaysia automobile, Sichuan automobile, Changan lyj

[fy]

I was waiting for this type article and I have gained some useful information from this site. Thanks for sharing this information. Keep blogging.
nice and cool blog with a lot of information. i like it so. thanks

[contemporary window treatments]

The points you make are valid and I mostly agree with your ideas.

[訂花]

I was waiting for this type article and I have gained some useful information from this site. Thanks for sharing this information. Keep blogging.

[hongkongflowerdelivery.net]

I was just searching some information. while searching in Google came to know about your site .Thank you very much. That's great.

[firv]

friv
I was waiting for this type article and I have gained some useful information from this site. Thanks for sharing this information. Keep blogging.
nice and cool blog with a lot of information. i like it so. thanks
Thanks for informative and helpful post, obviously in your blog everything is good.

[hongkongflowerdelivery.net]

It is very interesting This is the first time i am read it which gives me alot of information I was just searching some information. while searching in Google came to know about your site .Thank you very much. That's great.Thank you very much. I hope it will have many readers and i will come back.

[開張花籃花牌]

I have to disagree with the opinion on this subject matter but in the end the research that you have done was great for your opinion.

[arenao]

I am trusting the same greatest work from you within the future as well. In fact your fanciful writing abilities has inspired me to start my own weblog now. http://www.goodlookingloser.com/exercises-to-increase-penis/sizegenetics-review/

[window treatment ideas for bay windows]

That's pure talent. Thanks for the awesome post. It made my day.
I think that it is very interesting, hopefully, you will keep posting such blogs..Keep sharing
What a great talent that he is. It is amazing to see his great work. Keep up the good work.

[hongkongflowerdelivery.net]

Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty blog with me. I am appreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great blog. Good luck to the author! all the best!

[開張花籃花牌]

This post was well worth reading and I wanted to thank you for your view on the subject.

[friv]

This valuable editorial was very useful to read, I savored it completely. I'm about now to email it to my colleagues to permit them examine this too. Thank you really.
I liked this post a lot. I guess you should keep writing.

[flowerdeliveryhongkong.org]

I was very impressed with all your posts. It all has added insight for me. Hopefully your blog more successful. If you are interested and have time to you can visite in my blog friend. Thanks...

[flowerdeliveryhongkong.org]

I was very impressed with all your posts. It all has added insight for me. Hopefully your blog more successful. If you are interested and have time to you can visite in my blog friend. Thanks...

[開張花籃花牌]

I loved how you have written your blog and the perspectives on it were dead on about it as well.

[jelqing]

jelqing
Thanks for these lovely interview. I really enjoyed reading through.
I agree with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your incoming updates. Just saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the wonderful clarity in your writing.It is imperative that we read blog post very carefully

[furniture bedroom sets]

Your point of view is unique and very astute.

[flowerdeliveryhongkong.org]

many thanks for your article! i appreciate your effort. it is very useful blog.

[嬰兒禮物]

Your blog is so interesting and full of great information that I always come back.

[kilaxamoureauam]

Cialis vs viagra http://hentaichan.ru/user/Evigolviriural/ drugstore

[Hansonn]

I often search the web for weblogs just on this topic and I was not dissapointed.

[jelqing]

jelqing
Now and then I’ll stumble across a post like this and I’ll recall that there really are still interesting pages on the web. ^_^. Thanks.
It is really a nice and helpful piece of info. I'm glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.