Ghana's return to multiparty rule in 1992 marked the effective legitimization of the military government which had previously resisted the call for greater democracy. Jerry Rawlings, a flight-lieutenant of Ewe-Scottish descent and one of the great survivors of African politics, staged coups in 1979 and 1981, and led the 1981-1992 Provisional National Defense Council military government. Rawlings emerged as a late candidate for the NDC and won 58% of the vote in the 1992 presidential elections. Opposition parties claimed malpractice but refused to contest the parliamentary elections the following month. The NDC swept the board. Opposition is still effectively outside parliament, the difference being that since 1992 political dissent is accepted.
