As the ‘third term syndrome’ further takes its roots in Africa, with Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara and Guinea’s Alpha Conde the latest proponents, a foremost African political analyst has said Ghana will not join the fray.
Ghana is classified as the most politically stable country in Africa, with its 28 years of democracy not seeing many violence and electoral shenanigans.
Commenting on Monday’s Presidential election in Ghana, Dr. Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor of the Pan-African News Wire, said the possibility of an extended long term rule looks unlikely in Ghana.
Speaking on Village Square Africa on News Central TV, Abayomi said although several other African countries have trailed that path, Ghana does not look like one that will tow that lane.
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had proposed a single term of 6 years for the President, but his proposal was instantly rejected by the national assembly and the Nigerian people. In Liberia, President George Opong Weah is also seeking an extended single term.
Read: Issues To Watch As Ghana Decides 2020
Ghana, which held its elections peacefully on Monday has been a democratic frontier in West Africa and in Africa.
Also speaking on the show, Antony Goldman, a Political Risk and Government Affairs Specialist and former African Editor of the Finacial Times, said the winner of the Ghana Presidential election will be down to who citizens trust more.
Both candidates, incumbent Nana Akufo-Addo and John Mahama, have both enjoyed 4 years as President. Mahama led the country between 2012-2016 while Akufo-Addo has been leading since 2016 till present. The 2020 election is their third contest.
The election has been a tight one to call by analysts and neutrals as both candidates have marched on with different manifestoes to earn the faith of Ghanaians.
Mr Goldman said credibility will be important in how Ghanaians make their choice as both candidates stand a fair chance of attaining victory.