ABSTRACT
Hopes and expectations were great about the political future of Ghana, when the country was to be the first sub-Saharan country to become independent in 1957. The consequences were serious, both for Ghana and for independent sub-Saharan Africa in general. The fact that Jerry Rawlings did win the presidential election so markedly does suggest that there was manifestly a close relationship between Rawlings and the people of Ghana, although there were also some limits to that relationship. Such an interpretation of the reasons for the move towards a liberal democratic approach in Ghana does raise the question of the reason why Rawlings decided seemingly at such a late point to support the move. The model of government which Rawlings decided to adopt in 1991 was liberal democratic. The point for Rawlings was to be able to continue to lead despite the emergence of the political organisations.
