U.S. congratulates Ghanaian president

[No Elephants]

Special Reports
U.S. congratulates Ghanaian president

Published: Dec. 11, 2012 at 9:49 AM

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The White House extended congratulations to Ghanaian President John Mahama on his re-election, though opposition leaders said they'd challenge the results.

The White House issued a statement congratulating Mahama on his re-election, hailing the country for its peaceful elections.

Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, a spokesman for the opposition New Patriotic Party, told the BBC, however, the votes were manipulated in favor of Mahama. The results indicate Mahama won 50.7 percent of the vote, though the NPP spokesman said there was "robust" evidence of vote tampering.

The White House said it encouraged political parties in Ghana to accept the results of the election and use legal means to air grievances. African election observers described the presidential and parliamentary vote as free and fair.

Ghana is considered a model for African democracy. Its economy has been supported by recent oil discoveries.

[Enthusiast]

1. If the White House wants the people accept the results of the election

I can't help but think of the results as manipulated. Sorry.

[No Elephants]

2. As I was reading the story for the first time, I was thinking to myself,

why on earth are we interfering in an apparently crooked election in Ghana?

Then I got to the line about oil.

If oil is involved, anything goes.

Carter wanted us to become energy independent. No other administration did, though.