Kufuor Takes Unassailable Lead

After three attempts, John Agyekum Kufuor, flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has virtually achieved his life ambition of being the number one citizen of Ghana.

With provisional results from 75 percent of the 200 constituencies declared, Kufuor has taken an unbeatable lead of nearly 58 percent of the votes in Thursday's presidential run-off.

Vice-President John Atta Mills, candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) trails with about 42 percent.

Thursday's contest was a straight fight between the two after the 7 December inconclusive first round that featured seven candidates.

Kufuor had polled 48.17 percent of the votes while Mills polled 44.54 percent in that race.

Kufuor, who turned 63 on 8 December, should be in a jubilant mood.

In 1992, he began his march to the Castle, but stumbled at the first hurdle, losing to Albert Adu Boahen the New Patriotic Party's flag bearer in that poll.

In 1996, Kufuor made another bid, sailing through the first hurdle, before he was defeated by outgoing President Jerry John Rawlings.

In 2000, however, mother luck has smiled on him and he has virtually achieved his ambition, with the provisional results from 167 constituencies indicating Kufuor has consolidated his lead over Mills in the run-off.

Political analysts say unless the unexpected happens, he will become the next President of Ghana.

This will be the first time since 1969 that the NPP, whose predecessor the Progress Party (PP), tasted power.

The PP under late Kofi Abrefa Busia was ousted by a military coup led by Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong 13 January 1972, after being in power for only 27 months.

Results from Thursday's voting followed a general trend with Kufuor gaining more votes even in places where he had lost and widened the gap in those where he won.

Mills on the other hand lost votes even in most of the places where he had won apart from the Volta region.

Kufuor benefited from the alliance with the five candidates who lost in the first round.