Ghana and the rest of the world woke up to a Donald Trump win in the American polls, a development which shocked most Ghanaians as it did others across the globe.
The US president-elect proved bookmakers wrong when he emerged winner in a very acrimonious election that has seen the most powerful country divided, with the defeat of Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State.
Donald John Trump, a 70-year-old business mogul, who has never held political office, was elected the 45th president of the United States of America on the ticket of the Republican Party.
His victory against the Democratic Party's candidate, 69-year-old Hillary Clinton, who was also a former first lady, has been seen as the biggest upset in America's recent political history.
Trump won 279 as against Hilary Clinton's 228 electoral votes, though Clinton garnered nearly 200,000 more popular votes.
The president-elect, in his victory speech, stated, “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be President for all of Americans, and this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country
“I mean that very sincerely. Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division, have to get together. To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people.”
Hillary on her part, has conceded defeat and called on Americans to give Trump a chance to lead. “We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power.”
Mrs. Clinton expressed the hope that Trump would be a successful president for all Americans.
For many Ghanaians, especially those who believe in the predictions of renowned men of God such as Pastor TB Joshua, the dark horse in the race was certainly Donald Trump and not the Democrat's Hillary Clinton – the favourite.
Pastor TB Joshua predicted a win for Hillary, information which many hours after the unexpected turn of events, was pulled off his online site – reasons yet unknown.
If there is an election result which has reduced the esteem of pollsters, it is the Trump win which has left many wondering whatever informed the unexpected turn of events.
Many Ghanaians kept vigil watching the international networks such as Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC and the others as they churned out the results from across the United States.
At a point all were contended with a roller coaster situation until Donald Trump opened up and never let go his speed towards the White House until it happened.
Sweeping most of the swing states and winning the popular vote put Donald Trump in an unassailable position. The man who the world wrote off as too loud and explicit to be President of the US is the president-elect of one of the most powerful nations of the world – the 45th to have the code to the nuclear button.
Already many Ghanaians have received messages of anxiety from their relations in America about whether Trump would make good his unfavourable campaign promises.
Many of such Ghanaians can only maintain a wait-and-see attitude as a Trump presidency starts work in the coming days or weeks.
In the Obama race, President Mahama was likened to the former with his campaign managers using to effect the mantra Obama/Mahama, the rhyme working to their favour.
On Tuesday General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia, reportedly likened Donald Trump to Nana Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, both of them according to Nketia, making all manner of unfeasible promises. His party however, is a counterpart of the Democrats whose social democrat values have them engaging in projects such as the construction of hospitals.
Now that Donald Trump has won, Asiedu Nketia's gamble has failed, lifting however, the spirit of the NPP supporters whose party's Elephant symbol is shared by the Republicans.
Congratulations
Messages of congratulations have started pouring in from world leaders.
In Ghana a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Martin Amidu, said the newly elected president has defied the political elite and the political establishment, including the media, to get the nod of American electorate.
According to him, the people of America have voted for a new and changed political and democratic establishment that would make the world great again.
President John Dramani Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo have also congratulated Mr Trump.
By A.R. Gomda
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