VOA标准英语2009年-World Leaders Congratulate Ghana on Democratic

World leaders are congratulating Ghana on successful democratic elections that saw the opposition¹ candidate defeat his ruling-party rival by fewer than 41,000 votes.
　

John Atta-Mills gives thanks in celebration of his election as Ghana's next leader, Accra, 04 Jan 2009

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated all of Ghana's candidates, the electoral commission and Ghanaian voters for the peaceful and orderly resolution of last month's elections, hailing it as a democratic achievement.

President-elect John Atta-Mills withstood two rounds of voting and a special election in a single constituency last Friday to claim just more than 50 percent of the vote, narrowly edging ruling-party rival Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Atta-Mills takes power Wednesday when President John Kufuor steps down after eight years in power.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown telephoned the president-elect to congratulate him on his victory.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that under Mr. Atta-Mills' leadership, he is convinced that Ghana will "make more progress, respecting the institutions and liberties as the entire international community is watching."

Many in Africa offered their own praise for the peaceful nature of the vote and the inclusiveness promised by the president-elect.
　

Ghana's President John Kufuor, (file photo)

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Mr. Atta-Mills' victory and the conduct of the people of Ghana "provides a rare example of democracy at work in Africa."

South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said the Ghanaian people have shown their appreciation² for democracy in an election that bears testimony³ to respect for good governance in Africa.

That is particularly striking given last month's military coup⁴ in Guinea and August's overthrow⁵ of the first freely-elected leader in Mauritania.

S. Tarnue Sherman is Chairman of the Political Science Department at the University of Liberia. He said Ghana is a torchbearer for African democracy.

"If you watch the reaction to the recent coup in Guinea, you will find out that Africans are not too much receptive to military take-over again. People are saying, look, the solution to democracy is not taking up arms. Let us go through the ballot⁶. And this is what is happening now today, which we saw in Ghana," he said.

Professor Sherman said Ghana's role as the birthplace of the Pan-African movement and its continuing commitment to democracy is a source of pride for all Africans.

"This shows to the world that democracy can also flourish in Africa, especially in West Africa where you have so many military coups⁷ and things. So Ghana has a special place in West Africa and Africa at large," said Sherman.

Declaring victory Saturday, Ghana's 64-year-old president-elect said it is time to unite the country after a hard-fought election and promised those who did not support him that they would face no recriminations.

"I want to assure all Ghanaians that I will be president for all. There will be no discrimination," he said.

Mr. Atta-Mills not only captured the presidency, but led his National Democratic Congress party to big gains in Ghana's parliament, winning 114 of the 228 seats

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

3 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

4 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

5 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

6 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

7 coups   

n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 )；政变；努力办到难办的事

参考例句：

• China has seen many political coups within the ruling class. 中国统治阶级内部发生过很多政变。 来自互联网
• Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attendance since nineteen thirty-two. 泰国1932年以来有18次政变或参加政变。 来自互联网