Ghana’s reputation as a maturing democracy is soaring more than 24 hours after the December 7, 2012 general elections. Over 14 million voters were expected to vote.
Ghanaians have remained calm as they wait for the results from the 26,000 polling stations of the 275 constituencies nationwide.
The voting expected to have ended nationwide yesterday December 7, 2012, had to be redone at some polling centres today December 8, because the verification equipment failed to function at these centres.
This is the sixth elections since the country adopted the 1992 Constitution and began the democracy journey.
The 2008 elections, no doubt raised the country’s reputation as a good example of democratic practice in Africa. The incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) handed over power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after a stiffly contested second round of voting. The opposition won with a slim difference of 40,000 votes.
The country didn’t go to war after that, and the economy has been growing.
In 2011 Ghana recorded economic growth of 14.5%, making it the fastest growing in sub-Saharan Africa.
The country was also listed as 5th among the world’s 10 fastest growing economies, and the World Bank projects that the economy will grow around 7% in 2012.
As the results continue to trickle in, the country has remained generally calm as citizens are glued to their TV sets, radio and the Internet following on the results.
From the results so far issued, it is obvious the two frontrunners, President John Mahama of the NDC and Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP are neck to neck.
Ghanabusinessnews.com is also waiting for finalised and certified results from the Electoral Commission (EC). No results will be published that has not come directly from the EC.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi
Your heading is delusional. What makes you think the world is impressed? Based on what evidence?
Violence erupts AFTER elections because that’s when results are disputed. There is nothing impressive about peace BEFORE final results.
It would be impressive if we could complete voting in a day and declare the results within a few hours, as is done in MOST democracies. We’re on the third day of these elections and counting. That’s disgraceful, NOT impressive as your heading states.