An African Election

The 2008 presidential elections in Ghana, West Africa serve as a backdrop for this documentary, which goes behind the scenes of the complex political machinery of an emerging democracy. Nana Akufo-Addo is running for the New Patriotic Party, with its slightly conservative platform, while John Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress skews a bit more progressive. The first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence from Britain in 1957, Ghana is a middle income economy well-endowed with natural resources, and now a stable democracy. Modern Ghana's adherence to principles of freedom and justice make it a proud exception to the sad clich̩ of African nations still beset by political violence and electoral fraud. AN AFRICAN ELECTION follows the key players for almost three months, taking us on unpredictable twists and turns down the back roads of the nation. When neither candidate receives a majority, the Electoral Commission announces a runoff to be held three weeks later. Tempers, which have been held admirably in check until now, are beginning to flare. Hopefully, Ghana's citizens will remain more level-headed than their larger-than-life politicians. РB.B.