Since
the
inception
of
Ghana’s
Fourth
Republic
in
1992,
the
National
Democratic
Congress
(NDC)
and
the
New
Patriotic
Party
(NPP)
have
been
the
dominant
political
forces,
alternating
the
nation’s
leadership.
The
NDC,
founded
by
former
military
leader
Jerry
John
Rawlings,
has
achieved
significant
success
in
defeating
the
NPP
in
several
elections.
As
Ghana
heads
to
the
polls
in
2024,
the
history
of
the
NDC’s
victories
over
the
NPP
is
worth
exploring.
1992
Election:
The
Inaugural
Victory
NDC
Candidate:
Jerry
John
RawlingsNPP
Candidate:
Prof.
Albert
Adu
BoahenOutcome:
Rawlings
won
decisively
with
58.4%
of
the
vote.
Significance:
The
first
democratic
election
of
the
Fourth
Republic
saw
Rawlings
transition
from
military
leader
to
a
civilian
president.
The
NDC’s
victory
was
buoyed
by
Rawlings’
popularity
and
control
over
the
political
landscape.
The
NPP,
contesting
its
first
election,
alleged
electoral
irregularities
and
boycotted
the
parliamentary
elections.
1996
Election:
A
Resounding
Re-election
NDC
Candidate:
Jerry
John
Rawlings
NPP
Candidate:
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
Outcome:
Rawlings
secured
re-election
with
57.4%
of
the
vote.
Significance:
Rawlings’
second
term
highlighted
the
NDC’s
continued
dominance
in
the
political
arena.
His
appeal,
especially
in
rural
areas,
and
the
party’s
focus
on
development
projects
helped
secure
another
victory
over
the
NPP.
2008
Election:
A
Narrow
Triumph
NDC
Candidate:
John
Evans
Atta
Mills
NPP
Candidate:
Nana
Addo
Dankwa
Akufo-Addo
Outcome:
Mills
narrowly
won
with
50.23%
in
the
runoff,
defeating
Akufo-Addo
by
less
than
41,000
votes.
Significance:
The
2008
election
was
one
of
Ghana’s
most
fiercely
contested.
Mills,
a
protégé
of
Rawlings,
benefited
from
strong
support
in
NDC
strongholds
and
dissatisfaction
with
the
NPP’s
economic
policies.
His
victory
marked
the
NDC’s
return
to
power
after
an
eight-year
hiatus.
2012
Election:
A
Disputed
Victory
NDC
Candidate:
John
Dramani
Mahama
NPP
Candidate:
Nana
Addo
Dankwa
Akufo-Addo
Outcome:
Mahama
won
with
50.7%
of
the
vote,
avoiding
a
runoff.
Significance:
Mahama’s
ascension
to
the
presidency
following
Mills’
death
in
2012
provided
him
with
the
incumbency
advantage.
However,
the
NPP
disputed
the
results,
citing
alleged
irregularities.
The
Supreme
Court
eventually
upheld
Mahama’s
victory,
solidifying
the
NDC’s
position.
NDC’s
Track
Record
Against
the
NPP
The
NDC
has
defeated
the
NPP
in
four
out
of
the
eight
general
elections
since
1992:
1992
–
Rawlings
vs.
Adu
Boahen1996
–
Rawlings
vs.
Kufuor2008
–
Mills
vs.
Akufo-Addo2012
–
Mahama
vs.
Akufo-Addo