Africa Is a Country

A Ghanaian Election

A Ghanaian Election

By
Sean Jacobs

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FC_6PDuJRXs#!&w=500&h=307&rel=0]

I am looking out for the documentary film, “An African Election” by the director Jarreth Merz. The film covers the dramatic events surrounding Ghana’s 2008 presidential elections. The election was only the second time–since Ghana ended military rule in 1992–that power would change hands through an election. Following a run-off, the two top candidates–the ruling party’s Nana Akufo-Addo and his challenger John Atta-Mills (who incidentally campaigned like Barack Obama was his running mate)–were tied for the lead. Results had to be delayed because of disputes over balloting and counting procedures. Some observers feared violence. Of course we now know how it all ended (Atta-Mills became Ghana’s new president). But judging from the trailer above we do get a sense of the high stakes.

The film made the cut at the Sundance Film Festival next month (it’s in competition), so there’s some hope it may get a limited release (the fate of documentary films with a non-US focus and that’s not fronted by celebrities) at an independent theater near you (if you live in a major metropolitan center)  or on a cable channel or onto online viewing platforms like Netflix or Hulu.–Sean Jacobs

Further Reading

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Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.

Ruto’s Kenya

Since June’s anti-finance bill protests, dozens of people remain unaccounted for—a stark reminder of the Kenyan state’s long history of abductions and assassinations.

Between Harlem and home

African postcolonial cinema serves as a mirror, revealing the limits of escape—whether through migration or personal defiance—and exposing the tensions between dreams and reality.

The real Rwanda

The world is slowly opening its eyes to how Paul Kagame’s regime abuses human rights, suppresses dissent, and exploits neighboring countries.

In the shadow of Mondlane

After a historic election and on the eve of celebrating fifty years of independence, Mozambicans need to ask whether the values, symbols, and institutions created to give shape to “national unity” are still legitimate today.

À sombra de Mondlane

Depois de uma eleição histórica e em vésperas de celebrar os 50 anos de independência, os moçambicanos precisam de perguntar se os valores, símbolos e instituições criados para dar forma à “unidade nacional” ainda são legítimos hoje.