The upcoming 2024 general elections in Ghana have sparked renewed interest in the nation’s political history, particularly the country’s first-ever presidential election under the Fourth Republic, which took place on November 3, 1992.
This election, which laid the groundwork for the democratic system Ghana follows today, has been brought back into the spotlight due to an interesting coincidence: the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has once again drawn the number one position on the ballot paper just like they did in 1992.
The year 1992 was a significant turning point in Ghana’s history. After years of military rule, the country transitioned into democratic governance under the Fourth Republic. This historic election saw five major political parties contesting, with the ballot numbers as follows:
1. Prof. Albert Adu Boahen (NPP)
2. Dr. Hilla Limann (PNC)
3. Mr. Kwabena Darko (NIP)
4. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (NDC)
5. Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Alexander Erskine (PHP)
The eventual winner, Jerry John Rawlings, the leader of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), won convincingly, defeating NPP’s Prof. Albert Adu Boahen. Despite the NPP holding the number one spot on the ballot, they were unable to secure victory, with Rawlings emerging as the clear victor and beginning his term as the first president of the Fourth Republic.
Now, as 2024 approaches, the NPP has once again drawn the number one position on the ballot, leading to a wave of excitement and speculation among party supporters. Many view this as a symbolic moment, possibly marking a return to the party’s original pursuit of democratic change. However, the memory of 1992 lingers, where despite being number one on the ballot, the NPP lost the election to Rawlings.
This has led many to question whether history will repeat itself or if Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate, will be able to rewrite the narrative and achieve victory in 2024.
Will Bawumia change the course that was set in 1992, or will the number one spot once again fail to secure the ultimate victory? The stage is set, and all eyes are on the NPP as history and fate seem to collide once more.
Source:m.dailyadvent.com
