Ghana’s presidential elections are a real test for the forerunner of African independence. The nation, whose independence in 1957 opened the floodgates to African liberation from colonial rule went the democratic way in 1992 (after numerous military coups since 1966) and has since held four peaceful elections in 1996, 2000 and 2004. The country has seen two democratically-elected presidents -Jerry Rawlings and John Kufuor- finish their constitutionally-mandated two terms– and peacefully step aside for replacement by their elected successors.

The characterisation of African leadership in Western literature is disquietingly sad. Robert I. Rotberge, the president of the World Peace Forum, in his emotional article, “The Roots of Africa’s Leadership Deficit” gave a dismal but factual summary of African leadership performances. “During the past three decades,” Rotberge wrote, “roughly 90% of sub-Saharan African leaders have behaved despotically, governed poorly, eliminated their people’s human and civil rights, initiated or exacerbated existing civil conflicts, decelerated per capital economic growth, and proved corrupt.”

Ghana's post election conduct will either redeem Africa’s image by avoiding the current trend where election losers either stick to power, force the winners to share power with them, sabotage the winners or further soil the continent’s image.