| Ghana's Presidential and Parliamentary Elections |
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December 06, 2008 12:31 PM
Tomorrow, Sunday, 7th December, 2008, Ghanaians will go to the polls to pick their next president and members of parliament. There is a very extensive campaign going on to ensure this is a peaceful event. Do you think Ghana's democracy has grown enough for a completely violence free election?
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December 06, 2008 12:51 PM
On my way home from school yesterday - Friday December 5th, I realized the atmosphere in town (Accra) was really charged with political talks and debates. On the streets, in the trotros, people were dancing and making the signs of the different parties. The nice thing about it was that it was being done in an interesting, very tolerant and friendly manner. Then I got to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. On the pedestrian pavements, I overheard one of the hawkers actually insulting members of a particular political. A few steps ahead, some young men were loudly calling leaders of another party drug dealers.
To answer the question, yes Ghana's democracy has come of age. But others are taking this maturity for granted and being irresponsible sometimes. These irresponsible behaviours may cause a few skirmishes once awhile. With time however, we will grow fully out of all that.
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December 06, 2008 1:40 PM
I must say, i always learn something new when i walk down the street these past few days. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and people are not afraid to share their views- which is a good thing. However, i think a lot of people are still very ignorant about the entire process. I heard someone ( a registered voter who was educated) ask how or where to place the thumb when casting a vote and whether it was ok to wear a party shirt to the polling station tomorrow. There have also been some mutterings about a reoccurence of the incidence in Kenya if the elections are rigged.
However this great country has a history of peace and understanding and everyone seems willing to put all their differences aside. The peace songs have also been very helpful. And it is commonplace to see people singing the campaign songs of their rival parties and walking hand in hand with people wearing other party colours. I am very optimistic about tomorrow! May the best leaders win!
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December 19, 2008 8:46 AM
Thankfully, Ghanaians showed the whole world that we are democratic and mature as we made peace reign before, during and after the elections. We shall continue to remain peaceful as we prepare for the second round of elections. Whoever is elected as president should be accepted since the majority of voters elected him president for his problem-solving attributes. I would love to continue seeing “people singing the campaign songs of their rival parties and walking hand in hand with people wearing other party colours” after the election period.
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December 19, 2008 12:13 PM
In my opinion, democracy flourishes in a well-educated society. Ignorance allows misinformation and the accompanying consternation to spread like wildfire, and some vested interests actually thrive on this. Have a couple of intra-city tro-tro rides and you will have a fair idea of what I mean. The department of civic education has a huge role to play in curbing this. We can't forever take for granted that peace will always be a given. I believe that things will get better the more educated the populace is.
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December 20, 2008 7:45 AM
Looking at the results of the elections presently, I have been wondering how governance in Ghana is going to be like from now on that the term "majority" in parliament is being debated. Do you think it is a good thing for governance in Ghana that the party that controls the executive does not have a clear majority in parliament or is it going to be very difficult to get government business to run?
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December 29, 2008 10:50 AM
Yesterday, Sunday, 28th December, 2008. Ghana held its second round of Presidential elections. The candidates were the flag-bearers of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Unconfirmed reports indicate that the NDC will win the election. How do you feel about the fact that amidst Africa's long history of dictatorships and civil wars, Ghanaians have held 2 relatively peaceful elections?
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January 06, 2009 7:28 AM
First of all l will give thanks to the two political parties for their effort in ensuring peace in our dear nation Ghana. In fact, the tension was so high on the 28th of December to the extent that even shops had to close down to avoid troubles..
I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to NDC for winning the presidential election. My humble advice to them is to consider their past as the foundation for the future..Ghanaians are expecting a lot from them as they promised during their various campaigns.
We must all geared our efforts together as Ghanaians to help push the image of Ghana forward..Much will depend on us all..We must try as much as possible to avoid ethnic conflict and segregation...Whether NPP or NDC
we must put our political affiliations aside and focus on building a better Ghana of peace and stable economy...
I can bet you all that this election will be a stepping stone for most African countries to value the essence of democracy and effective transition of power..Most international media predicted war and violence in the past election..As a nation with confidence to defend our dear nation, we were able to prove them wrong...Peace will forever be in Ghana..
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