CAPE COAST — It was unique celebration by the majority of residents in the Central Region immediately Prof. John Evans Atta Mills was declared president-elect of Ghana by Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), reports David Allan Paintsil.

The victory was a long awaited dream for many of the celebrants, who spoke to the paper in the heat of their celebrations, owing to the fact that none from the region had ever become president of Ghana, since independence in 1957.

The jinx was broken by Prof. Mills in the December 28 run-off, after unsuccessful bids in 2000 and 2004.

The celebrants, from Kasoa to Dunkwa-On-Offin, poured out into the streets to celebrate Mills' historical victory.

At Kasoa, people were carrying miniature elephants to the cemetery for burial after the defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has the elephant as its symbol.

At Biriwa, a fishing community along the Accra-Cape Coast highway in the Mfantseman West Constituency, some National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters dressed in red, like the 12-Apostles Church members, were seen mourning the defeated Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, who lost his seat to Aquinas Tawiah Quansah.

At Mankessim, the euphoria was beyond description, as enthusiastic supporters, some in NPP attire, trooped onto the main streets following a truck loaded with a sound system and dancing to the amazement of onlookers.

There was a traffic jam, as the thick crowd prevented the free movement of vehicles that were travelling to the various places.

Other towns along the Accra-Cape Coast road were not left out in the celebrations, as they held high big portraits of Prof. Mills in celebration of his victory.

Similar celebrations went on in Elmina, Komenda, Twifo Praso, Assin Foso, Assin Manso, Agona Swedru, Winneba, Apam, Mumford, Moree and Abura Dunkwa among other towns.

Cape Coast, the nerve centre of the region, bubbled in celebrations, as old ladies, the young and children could not help but celebrate in grand style.

From Brofoyedur, Ntsin, Abura, Ntoto, Bakaano, among others, the people converged at Kotokuraba, the central business district of the newly-created metropolis, to celebrate.

Most of them wore white cloths to signify victory, while others poured powder on passers-by and any person in sight, with others carrying a stool similar to that of a chief, to claim that the region had retaken the seat it carved some years back.

Taxi drivers also decorated their cars with pictures of Prof. Mills and NDC paraphernalia, while tooting their horns.

At Nkanfoa, residence of Prof. Mills, children celebrated beating their own manufactured drums to the amazement of this reporter.

Others also decorated their houses in NDC colours, and stood by to acknowledge cheers from the passing celebrants, who chanted songs composed after the declaration.

The celebration continued deep into the night, as the various drinking spots were filled to capacity, owing to the victory, which was crowned with a street jam at London Bridge, a famous spot in the former colonial capital.

KOFORIDUA

Isaac Akwetey writes from Koforidua, capital of the Eastern Region which was thrown into a state of jubilation minutes after the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, declared Prof. Evans John Atta Mills winner of the just-ended presidential run-off.

The jubilant celebrants, mainly supporters and sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), poured onto the principal streets of the New Juaben Municipality, to express their joy at the victory over the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

They took over all activities for the day amid the chanting of the "Ye sesa mu" slogan of the party.

The activities of the jubilant brought back the hustle and bustle nature of the municipality, as traders and hawkers did brisk business, especially selling NDC paraphernalia such as T-shirts and hand bands among others.

There were street parties which started from the New Juaben South Constituency office of the party, immediately the EC Chairman made his final pronunciation around 11:30 in the morning, and continued deep into the night.

On the contrary, as supporters of the NDC could not help themselves in jubilation, supporters of the NPP were living in a state of disappointment and dejection, as they turned every corner of the municipality into a conference room.

Many buildings and vehicles, which were carrying flags of the NPP among other paraphernalia, before and during the elections, were visibly missing, as supporters were engulfed in melancholy as if they have been told of the death of a relative.

A few courageous few were seen casting insinuations at their opponents at the least provocation. This nearly generated misunderstanding among the supporters of the two parties.

Both supporters of the NPP and NDC lauded the courage demonstrated by the EC boss. According to them, Dr. Afari Gyan had proven to all and sundry of his level of neutrality, describing him as a great man of the century.

Some even argued that government should name a government institution after him, in order to show appreciation and a sense of reward for his achievement.

TAKORADI

Alfred Adams & Zam Samin also report from Takoradi that supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, poured out in their numbers onto the streets to celebrate the victory chalked by their party in the run-off. This was after the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan had declared the flagbearer of the NDC, Professor John Atta Mills, as president-elect, having polled 50.23 % in the contest, as against the 49.77% chalked by the NPP candidate, Nana Akufo Addo.

This is the third time the flagbearer of the NDC has contested the presidential race, and had now won for the first time. He contested in the 2000, 2004, and now the 2008 election, where he emerged victorious.

Therefore, the supporters of the party had every reason to pour onto the streets to celebrate the victory chalked by him.

The supporters, clad in party paraphernalia, took to the streets in excitement, dancing to brass band music.

What was exciting was the fact that taxi drivers also joined the fray, tooting their horns in the process. At Kwsimintsim, supporters danced to the tune of brass band music at the main traffic light, blocking traffic in the process.

At Apowa, supporters of the party also took to the streets of the town in an excited mood, dancing to NDC songs being played at a drinking spot along the main road.

But what was worrying, was the fact that a supporter of the NPP slapped a young lady for celebrating the victory chalked by the NDC in the run-off. The lady in question, who did not mention her name to this paper, confirmed the story and added that she had lodged a complaint at the Kwesimintsim Police station.

At Sekondi, the story was no different, as supporters of the NDC took to the streets to celebrate. They also danced to music and songs of the NDC.

BOLGATANGA

Our Upper East Regional correspondent, William Jalulah, writes from Bolga that soon after the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, last Saturday declared Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate in the 2008 presidential run-off, as president-elect, members and supporters of the NDC in Bolgatanga poured onto the streets in an overwhelmingly jubilant mood.

Before the declaration of the final results, most people were staying very close to their TV and radio sets, in anticipation of the election results.

Then the results were declared, paving the way for members and supporters of the main opposition party to jubilate.

Commercial drivers, markets women, farmers, both old and young, jubilated as they marched through the principal streets of the municipality.

While some were on foot, others were riding on motorbikes and bicycles. Some also drove carelessly, amidst the tooting of horns.

Coincidentally, the day was Bolgatanga market day. The jubilations brought human and vehicular movements to a standstill.

The police at a point had it tough controlling the jubilant crowd.

Some of the NDC supporters told this reporter that the victory of Prof Mills was a victory for Ghana, because they were optimistic that he would salvage Ghanaians from the current economic hardship.

Some of them claimed the NPP was bent on winning the election, so that the rot they had done in their eight years in office, could not be exposed.

SUNYANI

Michael Boateng reports from Sunyani that hundreds of NDC supporters, both young and old, on Saturday celebrated the party's victory in the presidential election in Sunyani.

Immediately after Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), announced that Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the NDC presidential candidate, had won the election, the supporters, some of whom were clad in party paraphernalia, took to the streets amidst singing and dancing, whilst some commercial and private drivers tooted their horns.

"The people of Ghana have spoken," said a female teacher, Phyllis Konamah.

She expressed her happiness with the hope that Prof. Mills would fulfill his promise to give improved working conditions to teachers. An internet café attendant in Sunyani, Samuel Agyei, also expressed the belief that Professor Mills would move the country forward, and appealed to all Ghanaians to bury their differences to help to accelerate the pace of development.

"There is no need to fight amongst ourselves, as Ghanaians, after the EC has openly declared Prof. Mills the winner, what is left for us to do, as Ghanaians, is to ensure that he delivers the promises made during the campaign period," he added.

According to Samuel Agyei, Ghana had proven to the entire world that it had matured in her democratic dispensation, by organising five successive peaceful elections, adding that last year's elections was a demonstration to all politicians that the electorate were discerning enough in choosing political leaders.

An Electrician, Frank Gyabaah, who was highly enthused about Prof. Mills's victory, said he was happy that the NDC had won the election to save them from the economic problems.

He mentioned that costs of electrical equipments were very high, just as the prices of fuel and rising electricity and water bills.

Frank Gyabaah, however, commended Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan for being courageous to withstand the intimidation and threats from some quarters.

Ms. Abigail Antwi, a Health Extension Worker at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, was concerned over whether she would be sustained or laid off after the change of government.

Stephen Adu of Zoomlion also shared similar sentiments, and was in a much tense mood, crying about the future of his job. According to Stephen Adu, he is married with three kids, and things were improving after being recruited to work with Zoomlion, but the future still remained uncertain with the NDC regaining power.

KUMASI

Jubilant supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday took over the principal streets of Kumasi, few minutes after the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, declared the flagbearer of their party, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, president-elect, reports Issah Alhassan from Kumasi

As was expected, the relatively few supporters in the capital city had prepared feverishly towards the long awaited victory, even before the official declaration, as many supporters of the party, particularly those in the Zongo communities where the party enjoys major support, had lined up on the streets, waiting for Dr. Afari Gyan to declare their party winner in the crucial second round elections.

The principal streets of Aboabo, Asawase, Tafo and Ahwiaa were filled with ecstatic supporters, who were clad in party T-shirts bearing the portrait of the flagbearer of the NDC, Prof. Mills.

As if to make matters worse for their defeated colleague supporters of the NPP, some of the supporters were also spotted with T-shirts bearing the photograph of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, and doing the Kangaroo dance to the NPP campaign hit song composed by Daddy Lumba, while interspersing it with another hit track "Aye Huhuuhu and Nana Awuo oo," also by the same artist.

The police and other security personnel had a hectic time controlling jubilant supporters, who brought vehicular movement to a standstill, as they looked on helplessly while the supporters did their own thing.

At the Aboabo Community in the Asawase constituency, the celebrations reportedly travelled deep into the night, when a coffin wrapped in NPP colours was carried through the streets, making occasional stopovers at premises of personalities purported to be sympathisers of the NPP, to signify the death of the party.

Jubilant supporters also besieged the party's constituency office at Tafo Mile 4, bringing vehicular movement to a halt. Similar celebrations took place in other Zongo Communities in the metropolis.

Other parts of the city such as Bantama, Adum, Manhyia, Ash Town and Asafo, which are predominantly occupied by supporters of the NPP, were relatively calm.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman of the NDC has described his party's victory in the elections, as a victory for Ghana's unity and reconciliation.

Speaking to The Chronicle a few minutes after the official declaration of the results, Alhaji Mohammed Sannie called on all supporters, including those from the NPP, to unite and rally behind the newly-elected president to ensure the development of the country.

He has further appealed to supporters of the NDC, to be moderate in their celebrations, in order to avoid any confrontation with their opponents.

TAMALE

In Tamale correspondent, Edmond Gyebi reports that the Chief Imam of the Tamale Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Salam Ahmed, has condemned, in no uncertain terms, a recent attack on the mosque by some irate youth, believed to be supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The incident, according to the Imam, occurred just after Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan had announced the presidential run-off results that put the NDC ahead of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

They threw stones and other objects at the building destroying some louver blades, and chased away the caretakers of the Mosque.

Speaking to The Chronicle in Tamale, Imam Abdul-Salam disclosed that it took the intervention of a Military patrol team to disperse the angry crowd, most of whom were dressed in NDC colours.

He was of the conviction that the attack was influenced by the "dire impression" that sought to portray that only NPP sympathizers worshiped at the Mosque.

Imam Abdul-Salam was thus surprised as to why some people were holding such an irresponsible belief, and advised the youth to desist from allowing their conscience to be unnecessarily deceived by those they perceive to be their leaders.

He stated categorically that the Tamale Central Mosque was not a political party office, but a holy place of worship for people with diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, all political representatives of the various political parties, who visited the Northern Region, worshipped at the Mosque, which made it a neutral place for all.

He was however hopeful that such needless attacks would never be repeated by any group of persons in Tamale to bring curses upon themselves.

The Tamale Central Mosque Chief Imam, who prayed for forgiveness for the NDC youth, also commended Ghanaians for the responsible and peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the elections.

ACCRA

The GNA reports from Accra that hundreds of supporters of president-elect, John Evans Atta Mills took to the streets of Accra clad in white calico, party T-shirts and other National Democratic Congress (NDC) paraphernalia to celebrate the victory.

When Ghana News Agency (GNA) toured some principal streets and communities in Accra, hundreds of supporters had poured onto the streets, dancing to brass band music while others composed their own songs and danced, causing traffic jams.

At Accra Newtown, Alajo and Kotobabi, the GNA observed that some few New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters in their party T-shirts had joined the celebration, while other celebrants sat in cars, trotros and trucks waving white handkerchiefs.

Some people went on a procession through the principal streets, while taxi, trotro and some private car drivers honked, with some motorcyclists performing acrobatics. - GNA

HO

From the Volta Region, World Bank of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), correspondent, Samuel Agbewode reports that Ho, the capital, was thrown into the state of jubilation last Saturday, minutes after the Electoral Commissioner announced Prof. Atta Mills president-elect.

The NDC supporters, who were in party colours, took over the streets, singing and dancing to popular NDC patriotic songs, thereby creating vehicular and human traffic, which lasted for more than five hours.

Some of the jubilant supporters slept on the major streets, while others played and danced to borbor music.

The common pronouncements among these NDC activists were; "We have wrestled power from the NPP," "We will now have economic independence," "This is the time that we will have money in our pockets," and "We have suffered for far too long."

A businessman, Mr. Joshua Narh, said he was happy that Prof. Atta Mills emerged the victor in the run-off, noting that the president-elect had suffered enough in his presidential bid, which failed on two occasions.

He said the fact that NDC had now won the elections, was an indication that the party was force to reckon with.

According to him, the coming into power of the NDC would create more business opportunities for him, noting that he was compelled to do business under the NPP, even though he was not comfortable.

Mr. Narh said victory for the NDC should be seen as a total victory for Ghanaians.

He was hopeful that the NDC would be in position to turn the economy around, to help the people improve on their economic lives, as well as social.

Another person, Mr. Aheto Emmanuel, said the victory for Prof. Atta Mills and the NDC should be seen as a great responsibility, as the expectations of the people were very high, and that the people were hoping that the NDC would be in position to help improve on the living standards of the people.

He said anything short of such expectations, would be a great disappointment to the people, and that efforts ought to be made by the NDC to fulfill the campaign promises made to the people - to reduce petroleum prices, goods and services - the basis for which the people voted for the NDC.

Mr. Kennedy Ziwu also asked the NDC not to forget the Volta Region, where the majority of the people supported the party, adding that the time had come for the NDC to reward the people of the region, by establishing industries which would help create jobs for the unemployed, as well as create other opportunities that would transform the lives of the people.

-- Isaac Akwetey, David Allan Paintsil, Alfred Adams & Zam Samin, William Jalulah, Michael Boateng, Issah Alhassan, and Edmond Gyebi