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In Turbulent Region, Stable Ghana Heads for Tight Election

  • Weak performance of ruling party may hold key to outcome
  • President John Mahama seeks second term in Dec. 7 vote
A New Patriotic Party supporter during a campaign rally in Accra, on Dec. 4.

A New Patriotic Party supporter during a campaign rally in Accra, on Dec. 4.

Photographer: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images
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Since the end of military rule more than two decades ago, to many Ghanaians presidential elections have become routine: a close race between the two main parties and disputes settled in court.

While two of its West African neighbors have teetered on the brink of civil war and a third, Togo, has been ruled by the same family for 49 years, Ghanaians have come to take their nation’s political stability for granted.