Dr. Frank Bannor, Development Economist and Head of Research at Danquah Institute
By Bright Philip Donkor
Dr. Frank Bannor, Development Economist and Head of Research at the Danquah Institute, has emphasised that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are committed to democratic processes, peaceful resolution of disputes, and advocacy for electoral reforms in Ghanaian politics.
In an interview on Adom TV Badwam Show on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Dr. Bannor outlined how President Akufo-Addo has consistently championed the values of free, fair, and transparent elections, both within Ghana and on the international stage.
He stated that these values were not just rhetorical but were reflected in President Akufo-Addo’s actions and policies. Notably, he referenced the President’s vocal support for electoral integrity and transparency, which has been evident in his public addresses and international engagements. Dr. Bannor highlighted President Akufo-Addo’s advocacy during the 2017 African Union Summit and the 2018 United Nations General Assembly, among others.
Dr. Bannor noted that stable democracies are fundamental for the development and prosperity of nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. He expressed confidence that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to upholding Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of peaceful democracy in the region. “President Akufo-Addo will not take any action that could undermine Ghana’s standing as a stable and democratic nation,” Dr. Bannor remarked.
Evidence of commitment
Dr. Bannor highlighted that the NPP understands and values peaceful democracy. He mentioned that the party wrote and published a book titled “The 1996 Elections in Ghana: The Fraudulent Process”, which documented their allegations of electoral malpractices during the 1996 general elections.
He explained that this book examined issues such as alleged voter suppression, ballot tampering, and other forms of electoral misconduct that they believed undermined the legitimacy of the election results. According to him, the book provided evidence to support these claims and was part of the party’s broader effort to challenge the results and advocate for electoral reforms in Ghana.
He further recounted the significant defeat the NPP faced in the 2008 general elections, describing it as one of the closest and most contentious in Ghana’s history. “The initial round of voting did not produce an outright winner, necessitating a runoff between Akufo-Addo and Atta Mills. In the runoff election held on December 28, 2008, Atta Mills narrowly defeated Nana Akufo-Addo by a slim margin of about 0.5% of the votes. And President Akufo-Addo accepted the results in good faith,” he stated.
Dr. Bannor also cited the NPP’s democratic response to the 2012 election results. The NPP challenged the results in court through petitions to the Supreme Court, though these were ultimately unsuccessful in altering the outcome.
He noted that Akufo-Addo’s approach to the Supreme Court petition exemplified democratic principles rather than conflict. In his view, this set a precedent for the NDC to follow by challenging the 2020 election results in court.
He highlighted Akufo-Addo’s role in the removal of the criminal libel law in 2001, under President Kufuor’s administration. He explained that Nana Akufo-Addo, in 1960, was a vocal critic of the criminal libel law, arguing that such laws were contrary to democratic principles and restricted free expression. He emphasised that Akufo-Addo’s advocacy for the repeal of the criminal libel law was part of a broader push for democratic reforms and protection of individual freedoms.
War is detrimental
The Head of Research at Danquah Institute stated that singing and drumming war songs is detrimental, especially with the upcoming elections approaching.
He drew attention to the ongoing challenges faced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He said despite its vast natural wealth, including diamonds, gold, cobalt, and coltan, the DRC has been plagued by severe electoral violence and instability. He cited the DRC as a case study illustrating how resource abundance does not necessarily translate into political stability or development.
He noted that the DRC’s struggles with electoral violence have significantly impacted its governance and development. “The DRC’s experience underscores the critical importance of democratic processes and stability for national progress. We have only one Ghana and we must safeguard the peace we’re enjoying,” he urged.
He argued that Ghana’s commitment to democratic integrity and peaceful governance serves as a model for other nations facing similar challenges.
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