An African Election: Timeline
- Introduction
In a short 55 years, Ghana won its independence from the British, experienced four coups d’etat and successfully transitioned into democracy. Here are the major milestones in the journey.
- 1951-1969
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1951
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah named Ghana’s Prime Minister.
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1957
March 6:
Ghana achieves independence from the British.
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1966
CIA involved in military coup, which put National Liberation Party in power with Joseph Arthur Ankrah.
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1969
The Progress Party came to power through the ballot box.
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- 1972-1981
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1972
Coup by the National Redemption Council.
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1975
NRC overthrown by Supreme Military Council.
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1979
May 15
First unsuccessful attempt at a coup from The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council
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1979
June 4
Successful attempt at Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Jerry Rawlings rises to power.
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1981
The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Rises to Power under Rawlings.
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- 1990-2004
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1990
Ghana begins the transition to democracy.
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1992
Rawlings retires from the military, wins first democratic election.
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1996
Rawlings re-elected.
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2000
Rawlings hits Presidential term limit, retires; John Kufuor elected.
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2001
John Kufuor begins term as President.
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2004
Kufuor is re-elected.
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- 2008
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2008
Kufuor reaches Presidential term limit.
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2008
Oil discovered in Ghana.
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2008
The Presidential Election Starts – 8 candidates throw their hats into the ring.
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2008
December 7
First Round of voting – no candidate pulled more than 50% of the vote.
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2008
December 28
Second Round of Voting – Results were too close to call.
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- 2009-2012
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2009
January 2
The final district, Tain holds a special vote; John Atta Mills declared the winner
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2012
July 24
John Atta Mills dies while in office.
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2012
July 24
John Dramani Mahama, Vice President, takes office.
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2012
December 27
Presidential Elections
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