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Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 02:31:17 EST
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Subject: [wa-afr] In Ghana, A Great Cause To Celebrate -(The Nation/Kenya)

In Ghana, A Great Cause To Celebrate

Ghanaians have every right to celebrate. After the first wide-open
presidential and parliamentary ballot since independence in 1957, they seem
ready to change their government in a mature manner rare in Africa. Outgoing
President Jerry Rawlings must take some of the credit. A former soldier who
came to power through a coup, he was himself elected eight years ago.

But, in a fashion uncharacteristic of the continent, he declined to stand
again in last week's poll and did little to resort to the advantage of
incumbency to ensure his party's victory. He might have decided to step down
because he foresaw the loss coming. The euphoria with which the nation
greeted the opposition New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) victory lends credence
to that.

But it doesn't detract from the greatness of his decision. Many African
presidents would rather rig the poll than bow out gracefully, thus creating
unnecessary altercation of words and even violence. Mr. Rawlings did not do
so, thus ensuring Ghana an orderly vote.

However, it is not yet over. NPP candidate John Kufuor garnered 49 per cent
(97 seats in a 200-member House). The ruling National Democratic Congress's
candidate, outgoing Vice-President John Atta Mills, came second, with 45 per
cent (93 seats). The two still have to fight it out in the runoff. But
observers expect the other opposition parties to rally behind Mr. Kufuor.

If it pans out, Ghana may take a leap-forward towards democracy. We express
this optimism with caution because, in many Africa countries since the advent
of the multi-party system 10 years ago, what were once promising opposition
parties became - when they ascended to power - as corrupt and as dictatorial
as the rotten regimes they defeated in free elections.

In l957, Ghana became Africa's chief source of inspiration by becoming the
first black country to wrench itself free of British colonialism. What
subsequently happened - the series of military interventions - was not
anything to write home about. But after 2000, Ghana may yet inspire us all
again by establishing Africa's stablest and socially most responsive
democracy.


The Nation (Nairobi)  EDITORIAL  *  December 13, 2000  *  Nairobi / KENYA
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