The Government of Japan welcomes the news that the presidential election in the Republic of Ghana was held generally in a free, fair, and peaceful manner and congratulates Mr. John Atta Mills on his election as the next President.The Government of Japan expects that as a model country that retains democracy and sound economic management in Africa, the Republic of Ghana will continue to promote good governance, foster economic and social development and further contribute to the realization and maintenance of peace and stability in Africa, especially in the western African region.This presidential election was held as the term of incumbent President John Kufuor was due to expire in January. In this election, eight candidates ran and were put on the ballot on December 7, 2008. Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo won the most votes, but failed to secure 50 percent of the vote.Therefore, in accordance with the Constitution, a runoff election was held on December 28 between Mr. Akufo-Addo and Mr. Atta Mills, who won the second largest number of votes in the first round. In one electoral district, Tain, in the Brong-Ahafo region, the runoff election was not held on the same date, but on January 2.Ghana's electoral committee announced on January 3 that Mr. Atta Mills secured the victory with 50.23 percent of the vote. Voter turnout stood at 72.91 percent. Mr. Mills's term of office is four years.(1) This presidential election was monitored by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union, the African Union, major development partners as well as domestic and international NGOs. Major development partners consisted of six countries including Japan (Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States). (2) Eight officials of the Embassy of Japan in Ghana joined the election monitoring activities in the Greater Accra region (in particular, the capital Accra) and the Central region.The Presidential Inauguration Ceremony is scheduled to be held on January 7, and Japan will send former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Ceremony as Ambassador on Special Mission.Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan