African leaders say Ghana poll should be model for continent
Supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress cheer outside the electoral commission office in Ghana's capital Accra. The peaceful nature of Ghana’s presidential election is a rare example of a functional democracy in Africa and should be a model for the continent, African leaders and voters said today. PHOTO/REUTERS
ACCRA, Sunday
The peaceful nature of Ghana’s presidential election is a rare example of a functional democracy in Africa and should be a model for the continent, African leaders and voters said today.
Much attention in Africa and elsewhere was focused on the Ghanaian vote after a year of political crises, many of them violent, tarnished Africa’s democratic credentials.
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills was declared the winner on Saturday after the closely fought election in the gold and cocoa exporter was settled by a run-off.
“John Atta Mills’ victory and the conduct of the people of Ghana provides a rare example of democracy at work in Africa,” Kenya’s prime minister Raila Odinga said in a statement.
While the contest raised tensions and some violent incidents were reported, international observers say the vote was mostly peaceful.
“(The Ghanaian election) bears testimony to the respect for democracy and good governance in Africa,” South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said. “The people of Ghana ... have through the ballot paper showed their appreciation for democracy,” he said in a statement.
Ghana’s neighbour and fellow cocoa producer Ivory Coast again postponed presidential elections last year and analysts say they are unlikely to be held before the end of 2009 due to delays in disarmament and voter registration.
“In this country, elections are always held in chaos, and it’s the strongest who wins,” said taxi driver Alpha Kante in Abidjan. “If Ghanaians have voted for a new president without making a fuss, it’s good, and we must try to do the same.” (Reuters)
