As the first sub-Saharan African nation to shake free of colonial rule, Ghana helped chart the region’s familiar downward path: post-independence euphoria followed by despotic leaders, corruption, economic decline — and often war.
But with President John Kufuor’s re-election this week, Ghana has now extended its record of consecutive democratic elections to four.
With increasing democratic and press freedoms and a burgeoning economy, analysts and Ghanaians say the country’s turnaround is rooted in disgust with Ghana’s coup-ridden past and Cold War-era dictatorships.
”Democracy is embraced here because we’ve experienced a bitter past,” said Franklin Oduru, an analyst at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development.
”Even a democracy that isn’t the best is better than dictatorship. And we’ve come to the conclusion that no military rule can advance the needs of the citizens,” he said. ”We’re building on that system every year.”
Ghana too was among the many African nations threatened by implosion after achieving independence from Britain in 1957. It suffered five separate coups and a decade-long military dictatorship, which cratered its economy.
But in the past 10 years, Ghana has embraced democracy and economic formulas that have separated the country from a region often defined by child soldiers, shady leadership and reliance on humanitarian relief.
Kufuor defeated his long-time rival, John Atta Mills, whose party, the National Democratic Congress, is headed by former president Jerry Rawlings.
Rawlings seized power in a coup in 1981, capping over a decade of military takeovers since the country’s beloved first president, Kwame Nkrumah, was ousted in 1966.
Rawlings, a half-Scottish former flight lieutenant, ruled with fear and intimidation for 11 years, stifling dissent and executing enemies along Accra’s Gulf of Guinea beach.
With increased pressure from the West, Rawlings held fair elections in 1992 and 1996, and won both times, beating Kufuor in 1996. He adopted economic policies suggested by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and Ghana’s economy gradually improved, though still heavily reliant on foreign money.
In March 1998, Bill Clinton — the only United States president to visit Ghana — stood alongside Rawlings and praised his dedication to fair elections, declaring Ghana part of ”a new African renaissance” of democracy and economic success.
But still, say some Ghanaians, people were never truly free.
”Under Rawlings, it was impossible to even have discussions such as this,” said Nana Amankwah (55), polishing a shelf of used men’s shoes that he sells near Accra’s Makola Market.
”If you didn’t belong to his political party, you couldn’t find work or get a loan at the bank. Today, we can go about our business without intimidation.”
Kufuor’s victory in 2000 — after Rawlings willingly stepped down — marked the first peaceful transition of power in Ghana.
Kufuor won another four-year term this week, taking 53% of the vote.
On Friday, Kufuor gave a victory speech, extolling the restorative effects of peaceful, constitutional rule.
”This, I believe, will entrench democracy in our part of the world, especially when people begin to feel that they matter in the affairs of the nation.”
Kufuor’s economic policies have boosted Ghana’s economy, particularly cocoa production, its largest industry. Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, with this year’s crop the largest since 1965.
The country’s gross domestic product grew 4,7% in 2003 and is estimated to gain 5,2% this year, according to the government.
The new administration also encouraged free press and preached restraint and calm as the country neared elections. While Ghana’s economy has improved, 40% of its people still live in poverty, according to the United Nations, earning only $450 a year.
Kufuor’s critics say his policies only benefit the owning class, while abandoning the poor. Strife continues in Ghana’s northern regions.
Amamkwah, who has been selling shoes on the same stretch of Barnes Road for 16 years, said he made more money during the Rawlings era compared to now, but he has no complaints.
”The economy isn’t so great for me,” he said. ”But I’ll trade it any day to live my life without fear.” — Sapa-AP