The democratization process in Ghana: Key issues and challenges

Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain political independence, significantly ahead of other West African countries, including oil-rich regional giant Nigeria. After achieving independence in 1957, Ghana’s political history entailed a series of alternations between authoritarian and notional democratic rule, with three periods of elected government and three of military rule between 1957 and 1992. Except for the first republic under Kwame Nkrumah, the interludes of civilian government under the second (1969–1972) and third (1979–1981) republics have been short-lived, enduring for no longer than 30 months. Ghana’s most recent democratic transition in late 2008 has been more successful and has attracted international commendation. The constitutional and legal framework in place for the presidential and parliamentary elections is in line with international standards for the conduct of credible elections, to which Ghana is a signatory.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions