Ghanaians vote in test of democracy

Thousands of Ghanaians danced to reggae music as final political rallies took place ahead of the presidential election.

A supporter of the National Democratic Congress, Ghana's official opposition party, holds up a sign promoting change during a rally in Tema, roughly 30Km east of the capital Accra.

ACCRA // Thousands of Ghanaians beat goat-skin drums, waved flags and danced to reggae music as final political rallies took place ahead of today's presidential election. In the wake of this year's electoral strife in Kenya and Zimbabwe, hopes are running high that Ghana - hailed as West Africa's biggest success story - will succeed in holding a credible election free from violence and corruption. Early campaigning triggered violent clashes in northern regions, killing several people. But presidential candidates hoping to replace outgoing president John Kufour, who is standing down after two terms, have appealed for calm and order. Controversial former coup leader JJ Rawlings - nicknamed Junior Jesus - introduced multi-party elections to Ghana in 1992. He led the country for two terms before ceding power to Mr Kufuor in 2000. Mr Rawlings is now backing his former vice president, John Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in today's vote. He stands against seven others, including the ruling New Patriotic Party's wildly popular candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. On Friday, supporters of both parties braved heavy downpours to attend final rallies in and around the coastal capital of Accra. Painted in the signature colours of red, white and blue, NPP supporters poured into a local high school, waving palm fronds and photographs of Mr Akufo-Addo. Elderly women removed fancy shoes to walk barefoot through a sea of mud; teenage girls wore glittering eye make-up in party colours. "Kufuor has laid the foundations. Now I am going to build the structure. My government will highlight and deepen democracy and help develop a country where human rights and the rule of law are respected," Mr Akufo-Addo told the crowd, to cheers of appreciation. "The ruling party has done a good job. The economy is in very good condition. And there is freedom - you can say anything you like and not be arrested. The government is moving the nation forwards, we don't want to go backwards", said businessman Fred Abou Akou. "He is our man. We only want positive change. We love Nana!" screamed supporter Sophia Allyquah. Following the discovery of off-shore oil reserves last year, Ghana is set to start producing crude oil in 2010, pushing the stakes higher in what some said will be a tight poll. Oil revenue is expected to bring an additional $3 billion a year into the country - more than a fifth of the country's current annual budget. Mr Akufo-Addo has vowed to bring a more business-like approach to the exploration of oil, pouring the proceeds into universal free education, healthcare and sanitation. He has also pledged to provide access to safe, drinkable water for all Ghanaians by 2015. Over the past four years, foreign investment in Ghana has grown dramatically, from about $100 million (Dh367m) in 2004 to $2.6 billion in 2008. Inflation and tax rates have decreased. Foreign investors may see Ghana through rose-tinted lenses but the average Ghanaian still earns less than $4 a day. Accra lacks an efficient sanitation system, leaving many villagers living in coastal towns no option but to use the ocean as a huge, disease-ridden toilet bowl. "I'm not voting for more of the same. Ghana needs more jobs. We need to focus on ordinary people, not oil revenue. We need to start at the beginning" said voter John Quayson, supporting NDC candidate Mr Mills. Mr Mills has tagged his political campaign to Barack Obama, the US president-elect, even brandishing posters of himself next to cut-out images of Mr Obama to signify that he stands for change. The nation's tarmacked roads are lined with billboards showing images of the smiling candidates and party political broadcasts are ruling Ghana's airwaves. As Friday's rallies drew to a close, loud reggae music blared. The rain left traces of paint in open sewers, gutters and on muddy paths. But the crowd swayed in time to the beat. "We are moving forward" sang those leaving the NPP rally. A relaxed-looking Mr Kufuor, who celebrates his 70th birthday tomorrow, showed off his dance moves on stage. The crowd cheered and Mr Akufo-Addo looked on, smiling. He may not be as good a dancer as the current president, but many Ghanaians do not doubt his ability to lead. "Ghana has a bright future. Nana is a man who knows how to control our future and he'll drive us to our destination" said taxi driver Charles Odoi Sowah. [e-mail]