Chapter 5 Inter- and Intra-Party Conflicts and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana By John Mark Pokoo Abstract This chapter examines the inter- and intra-party conflict dynamics and democratic consolidation in Ghana. It focuses on party politics in Ghana as part of wider political development since the 1990s. Political development in the above context refers to the ability of a political system to acquire a transformative strategy that recognizes difference in terms of political equality and integration. The chapter argues that the central pillars of successful political development are the nature, interest and values of the political elites; the relationship between the elites and the general public; and the legal-historical context of the particular society. Where advances occur in any of the above pillars at the expense of the others, the resultant disharmony can lead to violence. Thus, partisan politics in Ghana requires reforms within the legal-historical context to cope with demands of politics. Keywords Political parties, inter-party conflict, conflict in Africa, political structures, electoral candidates, democracy. 139