Ghana leads the way with peaceful elections

The results have poured in and Ghana is not much the wiser. With the nominally centre-left National Democratic Congress winning 113 parliamentary seats, the current ruling centre-right regime of New Patriotic Party came a close second with 108 seats. 4 Independents were elected, although they are all former NPP and are expected to support their former colleagues. The People's National Convention received 2 seats while former Independence leader Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's 'rejuvenated' but ultimately 'decimated' pseudo-socialist Convention People's Party just received 1seat.

The separate presidential race was won by NPP's Nana Akufuo-Addo, tipping Professor John Atta Mills of NDC by a slight majority (around 1.5%). The president holds alot of power in Ghana and the fact that parliament may swing to a party different to the president's political base leaves Ghana in unknown territories. But the elections passed peacefully and fairly and all Ghanaians are to be commended for avoiding tribal politics that have marred Kenya and Nigeria recently. Personally, I think little if anything will change for the majority marginalised whether NPP or NDC come to power.

2 constituencies are being disputed, one because members of NDC allegedly tried to run off with 3 ballot boxes! What this all means is that a run-off is required between the two leading parties. A new election will take place on Dec. 28 and New Year 2009 will literally ring in a political party who may transform Ghana into a prosperous nation - that is, if they used the expected oil revenue of US $billions from the western region for the benefit of the public. If you're a gambler, put your money on it being soaked up be a handful of cronies. But maybe I am just being cynical. Hard not to given the experiences of Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Sierra Leone when it comes to natural resources exploited to the detriment of local communities.

Keeping it simple and saying it often is the favourite style of politicking in Kumasi. A massive turnout is expected again (over 60%). But one thing is for sure, education on voting is needed. 2.4% of those who voted used their little finger instead of their thumb. Who knows what awaits Ghana in 2009!