Ghana election lauded
2009-01-05 07:17
Accra - Ghana's largely peaceful and
credible presidential election was a rare example of a
functioning democracy in Africa and should be a model for the
continent, African leaders, voters and diplomats said on Sunday.
Much attention in Africa and elsewhere was focused on the
Ghanaian vote after a year of political crises, many of them
violent, tarnished Africa's democratic credentials.
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills was declared the winner
on Saturday after the closely fought election in the gold and
cocoa exporter was settled by a run-off.
"John Atta Mills' victory and the conduct of the people of
Ghana provides a rare example of democracy at work in Africa,"
Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga said in a statement.
Mostly peaceful
While some violence was reported, international observers
say the vote was mostly peaceful, in contrast with many other
African countries, where democracy was battered in 2008.
More than 1 000 people were killed in post-election violence
in Kenya last year and in Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and
opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have been deadlocked for
months over a power-sharing agreement after disputed elections.
"Ghanaians can and should take pride in this democratic
achievement.
"With their continuing show of commitment to the
democratic process, Ghana and its leaders are setting an
admirable example," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a
statement.
"(The Ghanaian election) bears testimony to the respect for
democracy and good governance in Africa," South African
President Kgalema Motlanthe said.
"The people of Ghana ... have
through the ballot paper showed their appreciation for
democracy," he said in a statement.