Top 3 most surprising moments in Ghana’s politics
Ghana, known as West Africa’s beacon of democracy, has had its fair share of political upheavals and surprising events. Here are the top three most shocking moments in Ghana’s political history:
The 2012 Election Petition: In 2012, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) challenged the outcome of the presidential election, claiming that the election was rigged in favor of the then-incumbent president, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This led to the first ever presidential election petition in the country’s history, with the Supreme Court ultimately upholding the election results.
The 1979 Coup d’état: On June 15, 1979, a group of military officers led by Jerry John Rawlings overthrew the government in a coup d’état. This was the first of two coups Rawlings would lead in Ghana, and it marked a significant turning point in the country’s political history. Rawlings went on to rule the country for several years as a military dictator before eventually transitioning to democratic rule.
The 2020 Election Dispute: In the 2020 presidential election, the main opposition candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP, was declared the winner after a close race against John Mahama of the NDC. However, Mahama disputed the results, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud. This led to a tense standoff and demonstrations, which were eventually resolved through the intervention of religious and traditional leaders. The election was ultimately upheld, with Akufo-Addo being declared the winner.
These moments have had lasting impacts on Ghana’s political landscape, shaping the country’s democratic development and setting precedents for future elections. Despite these challenges, Ghana remains a model for democratic stability in West Africa.
