Ghanaians react to the announcement that Prof. John Atta Mills has won the closely contested second round to become the country’s next president.
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to achieve independence – in 1957 – encouraging others in their fight to cut their colonial ties.
Click on the links below to read what some Ghanaian’s think of their new president:
“I think it’s very odd to declare the winner this early after all the accusations of irregularities, but I think it’s a done deal.”
Ebow, 35, software developer, Accra
Let’s see how the new government does. But the new president should realise that the country is split in the middle.
Bridget, 39, general manager, Accra
The new president should continue with the good policies of the previous government and should aim to unify the country.
Moses, 28, part-time student/aid worker, Kumasi
I personally expect him to create more jobs as most of the people are jobless.
Yirisa, 25, national service, Tamale
I’m very glad this elections are over.
I think it’s very odd to declare the winner this early after all the accusations of irregularities, but I think it’s a done deal.
I don’t think the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will challenge the results, but I do think they should go to the courts to find out what happened and go through the motions.
But I don’t think they will reject the decision.
I don’t expect anything from the new president John Atta Mills and a National Democratic Congress (NDC) government just yet.
I think we will just have to wait and see what he does once he is sworn in.
Ebow, 25, Software Developer in Accra
I am relieved it’s over.
I didn’t like any of the parties, but I actually ended up voting in the second round for the governing party, the NPP. But if half of the nation wanted the NDC to rule, so be it.
The political wrangling took too long and just ruined our Christmas.
Elections are a big thing in Africa, and I just didn’t want Ghana to go down the same route as other countries.
Let’s see how the new government does. But the new president should realise that the country is split in the middle.
If he doesn’t get his act together quickly he might be out of the government in the next election.
I would not like to see him taking a different path just because he is the new president, imposing new policies and undermining the previous government’s work. He should pick up from where he took the post.
Bridget, 25, General Manager, Accra
I am very happy to see that it’s all over and that it has been peaceful.
I wanted the NPP candidate to win, but after everything that has happened I am still very happy with the results.
I don’t think my party will dispute the results. They might litigate, but I don’t think they will reject the new president.
I think everyone is happy that it’s over, we weren’t able to celebrate Christmas because we were anxious to know what would happen.
The new president should continue with the good policies of the previous government and should aim to unify the country. He should reach out to the other party.
There shouldn’t be any victimisation or discrimination of the people who voted against him.
I am very happy for John Atta Mills because I voted for him. I think he performed very well and from 2000, when he first attempted to be president, I’ve always wanted to see what the other party has to offer.
I am glad this long election is over as it ruined the holidays, but I take it that everything happened in good faith.
The only problem for the new president is that, just like with Barack Obama in the US, people expect too much from him.
I hope he can deliver on the expectations of the majority of Ghanaians, because in four years the people will judge him again.
I personally would like for him to create more jobs as most of the people are jobless.
I also hope he can unify the country, as one close look at the election results will tell you that we are now split in the middle.
He should unify the country and make Ghanaians forget about this marathon election.
Yirasa, National Service Person, Tamale
Source: BBC