How Ghanaians Celebrated The Supreme Court Verdict

By Nana Kow Blankson

August 29, 2013

The Flagstaff House, the seat of government went agog when the Supreme Court (SC) pronounced that President John Mahama was duly elected, and therefore threw out the petition initiated by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and others, challenging the validity of the 2012 Presidential Election results.

It was a spontaneous jubilation. The joyous galore was all over the Flagstaff House with high fives, hugs, and tears of joy, singing, dancing and jubilation which welcomed the news of President Mahama’s vindication by the SC. Some people burst out singing, “It Is Well With My Soul”.

President Mahama and Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur who were both spotted in white outfits were seen shaking hands and hugging loved ones, supporters, ministers and well-wishers. It was a memorable occasion of the presidency that has known no peace ever since it was sworn into office.

The eight laborious months which has seen the Presidency of John Mahama on trial in the law courts finally came to an end when the Justices dismissed all the six allegations of electoral malpractices initiated by Nana Akufo-Addo.

Even though many stores notably in Accra and Kumasi were closed for fear of possible violence that may follow the determination of the case, the NDC supporters celebrated in their own little ways.

Millions of the NDC supporters exchanged text messages and phone calls to congratulate themselves for the patience, steel and perseverance which have seen them through the counterfeit case.

The NPP’s political World Bank, the Ashanti Region, was flat as their supporters were stunned by the verdict. Shops remained closed whilst the series of parties that have been lined up in anticipation of an NPP win were all cancelled.

Hundreds of people who gathered at Akufo-Addo’s residence at Nima in Accra to pray were heard before the verdict praying fervently that God should turn the victory in favour of Nana Akufo-Addo. But minutes after the verdict, most of them burst into tears, whist others stopped praying and did not know what to do.

It was a sweet victory for the NDC and President Mahama who felt that Nana Akufo-Addo was using some dubious means to steal the election from the backdoor which he could not win through the ballot. Someone dubbed the victory as the real, “Double, Double”, meaning President Mahama won in the polls and again won at the courts.

Supporters of the NDC who were urged to celebrate in measured proportions were seen in other parts of their strongholds waving handkerchiefs and singing to thank God for giving them the great victory in court.

This is a victory which nobody can take away from the NDC because the party has not been given the chance to govern ever since it won the 2012 Election. Therefore, the NDC supporters see the verdict which went in their favour as a favour of God to help them to soldier on with their vision for the country.

President Mahama later in the evening addressed the nation and called for unity and oneness since Ghana is bigger than any political party. He stated that Ghana became the winner in the petition case and the country’s democracy remains solid in the eyes of the International Community.

nkowblankson@yahoo.com