Sunday Ghanaian Presidential Elections and guess what I'M DONE!

This past Sunday voting was held for the next Ghanaian president as well as for the members of parliament. At this point just over 80% of the votes have been counted and it looks like the New Patriotic Party, the current ruling party's candidate, Nana Akufo Addo holds the lead with 49.3% of the vote. If neither candidate passes the 50% threshold, which will be announced at 2:00 pm today, then there will have to be a run-off

This election has been flagged as a test for African democracy after there have been flawed polls with violence in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. The election has been closely watched by African democracy activists, as well as by the Ghanaian people, who have only hoped for a peaceful process. For days on end I have seen Ghanaians glued to their blasting radios, listening to any information they can get about the election, and it has been with out a doubt the main topic of discussion among both Ghanaians and foreigners here.


Well in other news, I am done. I finished my last paper and turned it in this morning. Does is feel good? Hell yes. I sure have had a lot of work these past couple weeks, but luckily I have been able to keep my mind pretty on track to finish strong. Also, I didn't fail Twi and that is also wonderful. My brain is currently packed full of new African knowledge and I feel that since this experience has been framed from within the continent my retention of that knowledge will be quite good. I have actually loved writing some of my final papers which have included The Effects of Cell Phones on the Developing World, Major Historical Influences on the Architectural Development of Accra, The G8 Africa Action Plan in Relation to Africa’s Development, The Failed State Syndrome and Africa, and The Globalization of African Music. Interesting eh? Though it was difficult at times to get everything done in a timely manner, I thoroughly enjoyed researching and really digging into all of these topics.

Now that I have completed my work, do you know what this means?
Paaaaaaacking time! (and a little bit of fun in the sun while I still can! It was of course just 9 degrees back home yesterday.)

xoo Ellie