GHANA: POLITICS - Observers give a clean bill of health to the close presidential race in Ghana, a country cited as model democracy in Africa's 'coup belt'

Record ID: 327867

  • Title: GHANA: POLITICS - Observers give a clean bill of health to the close presidential race in Ghana, a country cited as model democracy in Africa's 'coup belt'
  • Date: 8th December 2012
  • Summary: ACCRA, GHANA (DECEMBER 7, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VOTERS IN A QUEUE
  • Embargoed: 23rd December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ghana
  • Country: Ghana
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA27R0GPQ58DYVO2QKZNRNXHQWC
  • Story Text: Voters in Ghana waited for hours in long lines to vote on Friday (December 7) in elections troubled by delays and logistical problems, but which many hoped would entrench the country's reputation as a model African democracy.
    Both the incumbent President John Dramani Mahama and his main opposition challenger Nana Akufo-Addo voted in their respective towns, surrounded by their loyal supporters.
    The start of voting was delayed in some polling stations in Accra due to a lack of ballots and ballot boxes, but election observers said many of the problems had been resolved by midday and that voting was mostly smooth nationwide.

    "As of this morning when the elections actually started, well, we observed here and there or heard here and there that there were delays, that at some polling stations voting was delayed, but it got started. It has gone well since, so I think everything orders well for Ghana," said Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili, the head of the Commonwealth Observer mission.
    Many will be hoping Ghana's recent surge in oil revenues, which has yet to make much difference to the wider population, will fulfil such hopes for a better future.
    President John Dramani Mahama, who replaced the late John Atta Mills after his death from an illness in July, faces rival Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who has vowed to provide free education and root out corruption.
    Opinion polls point to a tight race, raising the prospect of a repeat of the near deadlock in 2008 elections, in which Mills defeated Akufo-Addo with a margin of less than 1 percent after a run-off. A second round will be held in three weeks if nobody gets a majority of the vote on Friday.
    Former President John Kufuor cast his vote in a neighbourhood in Accra with crowds cheering him as one of the nation's favourite former leaders.

    "Listening to the news media, I get the impression even in the capital town not all is going quite right. It doesn't seem the Electoral Commission prepared adequately. Let's hope it will be up to it to satisfy all the people," said Kufuor, who served as the President of Ghana between 2001 and 2009.
    Despite fears of trouble after the 2008 vote, Ghana pulled back from the brink. A disputed election in neighbouring Ivory Coast in 2010, by contrast, led to civil war, and regional neighbours Mali and Guinea-Bissau have had recent coups.

    "The spirit of determination, the quiet and gentle determination that has been demonstrated by Ghanaians is admirable, and should not be violated nor should it be disrespected," said former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings.
    Ghana Election Commissioner Kwadwo Afari-Gyan told Reuters that polls would stay open until all ballots had been cast.
    The stakes are high, with rivals competing for a chance to oversee a boom in oil revenues that has brought hopes of increased development in a country where the average person still makes less than $4 a day.
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