Mark

=Ghana’s Political Parties=

Ghana, like the United States of America has recently held its own Presidential Election in 2008. The race was dominated by two parties, again like the Unites States, as it has been since the 4th republic has been created. The two main parties are the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The election was incredibly tight (another similarity to the America), and after an initial pole where New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo carried more votes but not enough to avoid a second run off vote, National Democratic Congress candidate John Atta Mills was elected President, having approximately .5 % more votes then Mr. Akufo-Addo. The two parties are described in further detail below.

National Democratic Congress


The NDC is a social democratic party, meaning it is left, or centre-left. The NDC in having socialist roots obviously is very focused on the situation of the lower classes. As such, it believes in allowing all Ghanaians to have equal opportunity, and eventually has a vision of a society where the welfare of one is the concern of all.

The NDC also supports the free market system, where all citizens are fully participating in the country’s economic system. The previous term has been led by an NPP delegate, and as such the NDC has sworn to change the previous system of almost completely government controlled economy to the free market they prefer. The party recognizes that the free market does have the opportunity for a privileged few to control the masses, and therefore plan to create a free market by increasing private sector participation and deregulation.

John Jerry Rawlings, who led the military coup of June 4 1979, founded the party. He also served as the chair of the PNDC, a government set in place after the 1984 coup. Most recently, he served as President of Ghana from 1992-2001. President Mills was his Vice President at the time.

The NDC’s logo is an umbrella with an eagle’s head on top. The party colors are red, green, and black.

New Patriotic Party


The NPP is a liberal democratic party, which is center-right. The root of their platform is equity for their citizens, however they believe this is best realized by increasing the wealth creating abilities of the nation and its people.

The NPP plans to increase wealth production in multiple ways. It believes an educated population is what is required to compete in today’s economic situation. As such the NPP backs many reforms for the quality and availability for education in the country. Creating this superior work force is at the heart of the party’s platform. Micro-economic opportunities for farmers and fishers will allow further wealth for individuals. Health concerns are also on the agenda for the NPP, as well as opening up opportunities for women and children, and opening up jobs for the youth of Ghana (who have recently been leaving the country in searching for potential prospects).

Former President John A. Kufor was an NPP member, and served from 2001-2008

The NPP’s logo is an elephant, and the colors are red blue and white.