A Thanksgiving service being organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Fourth Republic is ongoing at the Independence Square in Accra.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to lead his predecessors and leaders of the country’s political parties at the ceremony which is under the theme “Celebrating the goodness of the Lord.”
Ghana’s 25-year-long democracy journey has seen the country being led by five different presidents.
After eleven years of military rule, the country eventually transitioned into a democratic regime with Flt. Lit. Jerry John Rawlings of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) winning the 1992 elections.
He served two terms in office and handed over power to John Agyekum Kuffour following the NDC’s defeat in the 2000 elections to the NPP.
Mr. Kufuor also led the country for two terms - from 2000 to 2004 and then to 2008.
Ghana witnessed another smooth transition of power as the NDC’s Prof. Atta-Mills was sworn in as President after winning the 2008 elections against the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo and served until 2012 when he died. This was 6 months before the end of his first term.
In accordance with the constitution, then Vice President, John Mahama, was sworn-in to man the affairs of the country.
He defeated then candidate Akufo-Addo in the 2012 Presidential elections but failed in his bid for a second term as he lost to Nana Akufo-Addo.