Presidential Elections and Military Regimes in Ghana have had their individual and collective impact on the nation. Elections in Ghana date back to the colonial era but for the purpose of this writeup, we touch on Ghana’s elections and coups that have brought Ghana this far.
Ghana, the former Gold Coast, and a colony of Britain haven gained independence in 1957 was to become the beacon of Africa in political and Economic landscape and to help propel the continued libration of other African countries through the works Dr. Kwamr Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president.
However, many challenges in the governance of the country and prevailing conditions made Ghana move from one way of electing its leadership through democratic means into military regimes and even one-party states.
The political situation in Ghana since Independence for historical purposes is worth knowing at a glance.
In 1957 Ghana gained independence and become a democratic state, however, this lasted up to 1958 because from that year, until 1964 the leader of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced was called the restricted democratic practice.
This gradually made Ghana from 1964-1966 a One Party State with the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) in power.
Presidential Elections and Military Regimes in Ghana kept changing hands and so 1966-1969 saw Ghana migrate into a period of Military Regime. Thus the National Liberation Council (NLC) led Ghana and there was the widespread belief that the CIA-supported coup d’état (Ghana’s first) against the civilian government led by Kwame Nkrumah.
1969-1972 saw Ghana return to Democracy and democratic rule, however, in 1972 Ghana went back to another Military Regime until 1979 when Hilla Limann (PNP) was elected as president but just two years after, he was overthrown through another coup let by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings and some members of the air force. The first attempt failed but a second one was a success.
Ghana continued to switch between military and civilian rule,1979-1981 – Democracy, 1981-1992 Military Regime and become known from 1992-1996 as an Emerging Democracy.
Since 1992 Presidential Elections and Military Regimes in Ghana have stopped swapping giving way to the 4th republic and Ghana has continued to practice democratic governance and is looking forward to an important General election on December 7, 2020.
When is Ghana’s next democratic election going to be held?
The next democratic elections of Ghana will be held on December 7th, 2020 with the contest expected to be between the ruling New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). If no party obtains at least 50% plus 1 vote in the election, the election will head for a run-off between the two main parties. The 76 years of president Nana ADDO is seeking for a second term while the NDC led former president is mapping up plans to win back the power he lost in 2016. Many electorates are undecided as to who to vote for among the two.