kumasi, Ghana (AFP) – Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama pledged to unite his party on Thursday as thousands of supporters gathered for a congress expected to nominate him as its candidate for December elections.
The National Democratic Congress meeting came in the wake of president John Atta Mills’ death in July, five months ahead of polls in which he was to seek re-election. Mahama, previously vice president, was sworn in to finish his term.
“The death of president Mills was unfortunate, but it has opened new doors of opportunities for the party to work hard towards the overall development of the country,” said Mahama, wearing a shirt with Mills’ picture in tribute.
“I know there are disagreements within the party since we assumed power in 2008, but I pledged to ensure that there is unity in the party.
“I promise that the December elections will be peaceful for Ghana to continue to be the beacon of hope and democracy for Africa. As supporters of the party, I plead with you to be very vigilant during the elections but not to be violent.”
The party has been somewhat divided in recent years, and Mills had been challenged by ex-president Jerry Rawlings’ wife for its nomination in a primary last year, though he eventually won easily.
Rawlings stirred controversy in Ghana in the days after Mills’ death when he told a radio programme the late president had been suffering from cancer and could only work a few hours a day.
Rawlings, who had been at odds with Mills in recent years despite Mills’ previously serving as his vice president, spoke to Thursday’s congress in support of Mahama.
“Your success will depend on how quickly you restore integrity into the presidency, government and the ruling party,” said Rawlings.
“I call on supporters home and abroad to join the campaign trail. You should not sit on the fence and expect to be appointed as government officials.”
Mills died on July 24 at age 68. No official cause has been given, but there have been unconfirmed reports that he suffered from throat cancer.
Some 2,000 delegates were attending the congress at a stadium in Kumasi in south-central Ghana, traditionally a stronghold of the opposition but where the NDC is seeking to make inroads.
They began voting on the party’s endorsement in the afternoon amid a lively atmosphere, with music playing and crowds gathered outside the stadium. Mahama was the only candidate.
The transition since Mills’ death has gone smoothly, with Mahama sworn in hours afterward to serve out the remainder of the late leader’s term, as dictated by the west African nation’s constitution.
However, Mills’s death upended the presidential race in a country that recently became a significant oil producer and is praised as a stable democracy in an often turbulent region.
Analysts say the election is likely to be close. Mills won the 2008 vote with less than a one percent margin.
