ELECTION 2000

President-elect addresses nation.

Accra, 30 December 2000
President-elect, John Agyekum Kufuor has delivered his first public address after being declared the winner of the run-off election this morning.

Dressed in all white, which symbolizes victory, Mr. Kufuor reiterated his desire to form an all-inclusive government. "Everybody has his or her part to play in my administration, there will be no room for witch-hunting of individuals or groups" he told a jubilant crowd at his Airport residence in Accra.

Mr. Kufuor very aware of the enormous problems facing him and his team as they prepare to take over asked for loyal support and help to make the transition from the outgoing government to the new administration as easy and as productive as possible.

He assured that when he took over, he would be the President of all Ghanaians and not that of his party, the New Patriotic Party. "Yesterday, I was the candidate of my party, today I am the President-elect of all Ghanaians".

He pledged to be mindful of his responsibilities as president of all Ghanaians and to work hard to bring about the "positive change" in the lives of all people.

The President-elect describes the democratic process as an achievement for all. He however warned that all must remain mindful that "this is only the beginning. Ahead of us lie the challenges of our deteriorating economy, our depreciating currency and other problems of which we are all aware". He urged all to join forces in confronting the challenges and solve them in the spirit of unity. "We must move forward into the new century as one nation, one people with one manifest destiny", the man refereed to as the gentle giant said.

He asked for the support and prayers of all Ghanaians for his government and himself. "We are at the start of a brand new century and with your support, we can make it a Ghanaian century".

The President-elect thanked the incumbent Vice-President and his opponent in the just-ended fierce battle to the seat of government for graciously conceding defeat. He also thanked the President, Jerry John Rawlings for presiding over what he called "a historic election", after his term of office as President of the Republic. Mr. Kufuor reiterated his intentions to accord the outgoing president all the courtesies due him as a former president.

The program was also attended by the leadership of the five other parties who lend their support to the NPP during the re- run. Notable among them was the unsuccessful Presidential Candidate and running mate of the People's National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama and Mr. Bannerman Baah Ntim.

The leader of the United Ghana Movement (UGM), Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby and his running mate were also present. The Reform Party was represented by its Chairman, Peter Kpordugbe, whilst the CPP was also resented by its Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Mr. Kufuor thanked his compatriots and all Ghanaians for their support in the struggle. The jubilant crowd at his residence mobbed him after his address amidst singing and chanting of party slogans. Mr. Kufuor's victory is seen as another great achievement for Ghana. It has been described by the International Community as a victory for democracy adding it demonstrates further Ghana's pacesetter role on the continent.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan declared the NPP candidate as President- elect of the Republic. He told a press conference that although the result of the Asokwa constituency in the Ashanti is yet to be announced, irrespective of what the outcome may be, Mr. Kufuor has won.

Unconfirmed reports from the constituency however indicate that a 'macho man' who carried two of the ballot boxes in the constituency has been lynched and burnt with the boxes. The Commission is yet to make a final declaration on that.

2nd round results

Other Useful Information

Party Manifestos
President's Sessional Address to Parliament - 2000
List of Districts in Ghana
List of Regions & Constituencies in Ghana

List of Members of Ghana's 4th Republic Parliament - 1999
Officers at the Majority and Minority Offices in Parliament- 1999
List of Government Ministers - 1999.
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana

Political parties in Ghana

Activities of political parties in Ghana since independence have been through a succession of metamorphoses.

About half of Ghana's life as an independent country has been under military rule, and during these periods (1966 - 1969, 1972 - 1979, 1982 - 1992) the banning of activities of political parties has always come with it. The lifting of this ban in 1990 to usher in the Fourth Republic of Ghana brought more than a sigh of relief to all Ghanaians.

Indications are that Ghanaians have now accepted democracy whole-heartedly and are prepared to fight "tooth and nail" to protect the democratic processes of the young Fourth Republic. The evidence of this is the proliferation of political parties in the country and the dynamic changes that keeps occurring every now and then in and among these political parties.

In recognition of the importance of political parties in building a true democratic culture, articles 55 and 56 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana together with the political parties law (PNDCL 281) set out the main legal framework for the formation and operation of political parties in Ghana. Every Ghanaian of voting age, good character and conduct has the right to form or join a political party. However for an organisation to operate as a political party, it must be registered with the Electoral Commission (EC). The conditions to be satisfied in order to be registered as a political party include the following:

At least one of the founding members should be ordinarily resident and registered as a voter in each of the 110 districts of Ghana.
It must have branches in all the 10 regions of Ghana and should, in addition, be organised in not less than two-thirds of the districts in each of the 10 regions.
Its name, emblem, colour, motto or any other symbol must not have any ethnic, regional or religious connotation nor give the appearance that its activities are confined only to a part of Ghana.

The basis of these requirements is intended to ensure that political parties that emerge are really national in character and scope of operation and not factional or regional parties.

Eleven organisations applied for registration as political parties at the inception of the Fourth Republic.
Eight of these organisations were granted the final certificates. They were the National Convention Party (NCP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the People's Heritage Party (PHP), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Independence Party (NIP), the Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) Party, the Democratic People's Party (DPP), and the Ghana Democratic Republican Party (GDRP).

From 1992 to 1996, a lot of changes occurred on the political scene. The NCP pulled out of the progressive alliance while the PHP, NIP and a section of the PNC merged to form the People's Convention Party (PCP). As at 18th September 1996, there were nine registered political parties in Ghana. They were the Democratic People's Party (DPP), Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) Party, Ghana Democratic Republican Party (GDRP), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), People's National Convention (PNC), People's Convention Party (PCP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Convention Party (NCP). The NCP and the PCP have since merged to form the Convention Party (CP).

Ghana Review International (GRi) now brings you an authentic up to date information on registered political parties in the country. We hope to update this information from time to time to keep you abreast with the occurrence of events in the circles of political parties in Ghana.

As of 31st July 1999, 10 political parties had registered with the Electoral Commission and had been issued with certificates. The registered political parties as of this date are:

The Convention Party (C.P)
People's National Convention (PNC)
Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP)
Democratic People's Party (DPP)
Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) Party
National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Ghana Democratic Republican Party (GDRP)
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
United Ghana Movement (UGM) and
The National Reform Party (NRP)

Return to top

MANIFESTOS

Shown here are manifestos that are available to us at this time, others will follow.

The New Patriotic Party 1996
The National Democratic Congress 1996
The United Ghana Movement
The New Patriotic Party 2000
The National Democratic Congress 2000

Return to top