INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS Elections and Conflict in Ghana Country Analysis KATHRIN MEISSNER February 2010* n Besides an extremely close election result, the course of the elections and the accep­tance of the final results proceeded relatively peacefully: such a favourable outcome is anything but a foregone conclusion in Ghana’s political system. It is possible to mobilise, at the drop of a hat, supporters who are convinced that the other side has achieved its ends by illegitimate means. n However, both main parties were aware that most Ghanaians were not willing to sacrifice the stability of their country for political ends. In addition, discussion of other African elections, such as those in Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, fostered a strong awareness of the risks involved in resorting to violence. n Civil society actors and religious leaders were keenly aware of the potential threat of violence during the elections. Every public event or function included appeals for peaceful elections, from the trade unions, the churches and the political parties. This heightened interest in the issue – one might even call it a fixation – repeatedly remin­ded the parties and their followers that the majority of Ghanaians were not prepared to see the country’s democratic system jeopardised by attempts to use violence to secure victory. Finally, the electoral commission made an important contribution to the peaceful course of the elections in Ghana by holding steady in the face of mas­sive pressure exerted from various quarters.