Demilitarizing politics in Ghana : which civil reconstruction after the 1979 elections ?

Abstract EN

There is considerable evidence to assert that Ghana had undergone not only rapid but spectacular transformations since independence from Britain in 1957.

It emerged as a young independent country exhibiting significant economic potential, recorded political achievements, an efficient civil service and rather inconsequential ethnic frictions for national unity.

But the post-independence era was tinged with political and economic turbulences.

This article attempts to shed light on the mainsprings of this long-lasting political turmoil and the repercussions it had on the political stability and the socio-economic life of Ghana after the 1979 elections.

An attempt is made to answer the following key questions: Why, despite such a great potential, did the country run towards political chaos? Did the People's National Party (PNP) achieve political stability and economic salvation as promised? Or was the civil reconstruction a deep illusion? A combination of internal (particularly frequent military interventions) as well as external factors tightened the stranglehold on President Hilla Limann.

With neither drive nor goal, the PNP ill-conceived policy aborted a return of democracy to Ghanaian politics.