Democracy in West Africa
Ghana
Democracy proponents are encouraged by in the recent peaceful transfer of power in Ghana. This is the second such democratic transfer of the Ghanaian presidency since the 1990s. Jerry Rawlings, a military leader, held an election in 1992 and became president of this tiny coastal nation. Then Mr. Rawling’s National Democratic Congress lost the presidential election in 2000, and John Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party took over. Now, John Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress is the president.
A vibrant democracy and open markets in Ghana have attracted international investors to a nation once plagued by military coups and political instability. Still, Ghana is a poor country and Mr. Atta Mills will have his hands full as he tries to bring greater prosperity to his people.
Guinea
In Guinea, a captain in the military staged a coup last month after the death of President Lansana Conte. While most consider this a set back for democracy in Guinea, the leader of the coup has already expressed a desire to hold a presidential election. Captain Moussa Dadis Camara says he hopes to stage the election sometime within the next 12 months. If Captain Camara is true to his word, then Guinea could follow Ghana’s lead, and help establish more democratic institutions in western Africa.
Nigeria
Independent observers consider Nigeria’s 2007 general election deeply flawed due to numerous reports of stolen votes, corruption and intimidation. Now several Nigerian politicians are pointing to Ghana as an example of how to conduct fair elections on the continent. Time will tell if the rhetoric leads to real democratic reforms in Nigeria.
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