Supreme Court upholds Ghanaian election

Ghana's Supreme Court has upheld the result of last December's presidential election following a legal challenge by the opposition.

The announcement was made amid tight security at the court house in Accra on 29 August, some eight months after incumbent president John Dramani Mahama of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) narrowly defeated his political rival Nano Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Akufo-Addo contested the results, alleging electoral fraud, but his appeal was dismissed by judges who ruled that Mahama was validly elected.

The outcome of the court case, which was broadcast live to the nation, was awaited with anxiety over the potential for violence, with 30,000 police deployed nationwide and much of central Accra closed down on the day.

The ruling was greeted with cheers from NDC supporters, while a disappointed Akufo-Addo pledged to abide by the court's decision, saying "It is now up to all Ghanaians to put the disputes behind us and come together."

Analysts predict the ruling should ease political uncertainty in the oil-rich west African state.