Background:
Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and
the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country
in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups
resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the
banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring
multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head
of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996,
but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in
2000. He was succeeded by John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice
President Atta MILLS in a free and fair election.