Ghana’s Fourth Republic: The Journey So Far (Part 2)

It must be stated that Jerry John Rawlings chose a university don and a tax expert as his running mate in the 1996 elections. He was Prof Evans Atta Mills.

In 2000, the nation’s third general elections were held.

The NPP also retained JA Kufour for the elections. He chose a Northern Muslim, Alhaji Aliu Mahama as his running mate.
Jerry John Rawlings finished his tenure as the Constitution barred him from running for the third term in office.
NDC had the former Vice President to Rawlings as mentioned, Evans Atta Mills as its candidate.

He chose Martin Alamisi Amidu a former Deputy Attorney General as his running mate. The duo lost to the New Patriotic Party after a second round.

NPP also had the majority of the seats in Parliament.

The Parliament was the third Parliament of the fourth Republic.

The House elected Rt Hon Peter Ala-Adjetey as the Speaker of the House.He was once the National Chairman of the party (NPP).

Hon J.H. Mensah was the Leader of the Government Business and the Majority Leader. He was also named as the Senior Minister in President Kufour Administration.

He had a young, dynamic lawyer and the Member of Parliament for Sekondi as his Deputy, Hon Papa Owusu Ankomah.

The NDC had Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the current Speaker as the Minority Leader..

That Parliament also showed a huge vibrancy in the fortification of our Democracy.

In 2004, the democratic culture of the country continued with another general elections. The New Patriotic Party led by JA Kufour was given another mandate. It won the election with a decreased margin.

The National Democratic Congress led by Prof Evans Atta Mills changed its running mate. The party brought in a Muslim and a lawyer from the Northern Region as his running mate. He was Hon Mohammed Mumuni.

NDC could not stand the heat. It lost to NPP once again.

Surprisingly, Begyina Sakyi Hughes was elected the Speaker of the House. He replaced Peter Ala-Adjetey who was not retained by his party. He was seen to rival the sitting President, JA Kufour during his first term.

Ironically, it was the then Minority NDC that nominated him for the position of the Speaker.

He lost to the NPP candidate in the person of Begyina Sakyi Hughes.
President Kufour was the second President of the fourth Republic after Jerry John Rawlings.

He credited for introducing the National Health Insurance.

Under his administration Ghana qualified to play in the football Mundial, the World Cup held in Germany.

By Osman Ahmed Halid