African Borders GHANA IN FOCUS A
By Bismark Akoto
fter organizing six successive elections since 1992 where power has alternated between two political parties, Ghana has gained a reputation as one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. After Ghana’s independence in 1957, Flqg of Ghqnq there were a series of coups and counter coups until 1992 where the country was ushered back into constitutional rule. Ghana is home to over 100 ethnic groups with the Akan’s being the largest making up about %48.3. With a population of about 28.83 millionpeople, Ghana has always been a country where religious tolerance for instance has been high as people of different ethnic, religious and political persuasions have and continue to live together as one people. For instance, the major Christian and Islamic celebrations are recognized as national holidays. Also, Christian as well as Islamic and Traditional prayers are said at the start of almost every major national event especially during the Independence Day Celebrations. This important understanding largely has its roots tied in the national secondary school system established under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. Under this school system, all young person’s irrespective of origin can attend any of the boarding schools scattered across the country. 12 African Borders
This policy has proven to be key to Ghana’s peacefulness as a nation and has promoted cross-tribal understanding of language, economy and cultural practices. One cannot talk about Ghana without talking about the Ashanti Kingdom as it is one of the few surviving kingdoms in the world. The current Ashanti King, OtumfuoOsei Tutu II enstooled in 1999 has been a symbol of peace for the Ashanti people and Ghana as a whole. Chieftaincy disputes no matter how serious they are, are settled in the Ashantihene’s court rather than the law courts where the process is usually antagonistic.
Peace Not Pieces Magazine
