.1982-1993 Years Ghana Economic Structural Adjustment And Political Democratization Reform

Ghana is in west Africa, the area is slightly less than Britain. It was a former British colony Gold Coast, and was independent in 1957. Ghana was the first political independent country in sub-saharan Africa. The main economy of Ghana was agriculture. Cocoa and mineral products export were pillar industries. Economic dependence and unreasonable economic structure were obvious. After independence,Ghana economic and political development met many setbacks. There were 5 successful military coups, eight different regimes before 1981. Ghana had practised planned economy and free economy, appeared various kinds of political forms, such as single-party system, military and elected government. After independence, Ghana was one of Africa's most turbulence countries, and one of the least developed countries in the world.On December 31, 1981, the Flight-Lieutennant John Rawlins staged a coup d'état and formed Provisional National Defence Council. Rawlings's political inclination was socialism and populist at first, but economy was getting worsen and worsen, Rawlins collaborated with International Monetary Fund, World Bank and western countries. Ghana carried on economic structure adjustment, executed market-oriented economy, made exchange rate and the price flexible freely.But the economic structure adjustment did not change economic dependence and economic structure, the main economy of Ghana was remain agriculture, industrial production capability was limited. Especially the negative social influence of the economic structure adjustment should not be neglected. Liberalisation policies such as State-owned enterprises privatisation, unemployment, financial subsidies canceled and price marketization hurt workers, farmers, social public service sectors, worsened their living conditions. Ghana extremely dependented on external market and international aid. Ghana lose the economical sovereignty to a very great extent. In the late 1980s, Ghana was pressured by international financial institutions and western countries, and started political democratization reform.Rawlins actively adapt the political democratization, and effectively controlled the democratization process. The process was in order and suitable. In 1992, Rawlins won presidential election, the opposition parties boycotted the subsequent parliamentary election, making National Democratic Congress almost monopolized all parliamentary seats. On January 7, 1993, Rawlins sworn in as president, the Fourth Republic of Ghana was established. In democratization process, the competition between ruling party and opposition always maintain a certain degree of restraint, not like some African countries that appear serious social and tribal contradiction, outbreak fierce conflict. Ghana democratization process smoothly realized.