Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

A new Political Transition Act, which was the topic of a national stakeholder meeting on 11 June 2008, is to prevent a recurrence of 2001, when NPP took over from NDC. It was the first time in the history of post-independence Ghana that political power had been transferred from one political party to a different political party. There was no precedent to guide the two parties that were involved in the transition leading to mistakes being made.

The hurts of the 2001 transition lies in the fresh memory of many Ghanaians. Broadcast live on national television the spectacle of the properties of former Ministers of State thrown out into the streets from their official accommodation and former Ministers of State in court fighting to keep ownership of official cars they had purchased was too humiliating a sight for many.

The uncoordinated power transfer has significantly contributed to the polarization of politics in the country. Individuals who were affected still feel aggrieved and view national issues in a partisan manner.

Written guidelines, to guide the Joint Transitional Team could have helped ease the situation. The parties thus decided to prepare for future transitions by agreeing on a multi-partisan framework, ground rules and regulations to govern and guide such transitions. In March Guidelines for Handling Political Transitions were jointly discussed by the leadership of all political parties. The meetings were facilitated by NIMD’s local partner IEA (Institute of Economic Affairs). In June their joint proposal was discussed with representatives of political parties, civil society and media. The new Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming months.