Ghana has had its share of ethnic problems where differences between tribes have led to misunderstanding and clashes. But the colour of the skin has so far not been a factor in determining issues. Now, skin colour has sprung to the top of the political agenda and it could determine who wins next month's historic presidential and parliamentary elections.

The reason? Ghana's president, Jerry Rawlings who has dominated the political scene for more than 20 years is bowing out after serving his second four-year term under constitutional rule.

Rawlings, whose father is a Scot, is fair-skinned, but his hand-picked successor to lead his National Democratic Congress, Prof John Atta Mills, is a black citizen.

That may not mean much, but one of the contestants in the presidential election, Augustus "Goosie" Tanoh, is as fair as Rawlings and his supporters are making a meal of it.

Ghana's ballot papers have the name and photograph of every candidate and the party's symbol.

Goosie, a former close ally of Rawlings, broke away from the National Democratic Congress last year to form the National Reform Party after his presidential ambitions evaporated when Mills won the nod from the president.

Ben Ephson, editor of the Despatch, a private newspaper in Accra, said: "The similarity of looks between Goosie and Rawlings may be a moot point, but in politics these little things count. It should not surprise Ghanaians why the president was appealing to his party's supporters not to vote for the fair-skinned person on the ballot paper."

Goosie, 44, is about 10 years younger than Rawlings, who wears a beard and is greying. Rawlings, a former flight lieutenant with the Ghana Air Force, has been a favourite of the population for his looks, his charisma and empathy, among other things. With a high percentage of voters, especially in the rural areas, being illiterate and knowing only Rawlings for 20 years, members of Goosie's party have reportedly been telling them that he is Rawlings's brother and chosen successor.

Rawlings himself admits that skin colour could be a problem to his party and Mills and has made it one of the cardinal statements on his political campaign.

"When you go in there (the polling booth)," he said, "you will find the photograph of a man with a brown face. That is not Rawlings. Do not vote for him.

"The man you should vote for is Professor Atta Mills, whose photograph is next to the umbrella (the symbol of the National Democratic Congress)."

Goosie has been quoted by the Ghanaian Chronicle as saying that he has a chance of winning because of his colour. Sapa-DPA.