LONDON (Standard&Poor's) July 26, 2012--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that the death of President Atta Mills as the result of illness will have no immediate impact on its ratings and outlook on the Republic of Ghana (B/Stable/B). Ghana's well-established democracy ensured a relatively smooth transition from Mr. Mills to Vice-President John Mahama. Under Ghana's constitution, the vice-president is sworn in as the new president if the incumbent dies in office; soon after Mr. Mill's death on July 24, Mr. Mahama was sworn in. Ghana remains one of Africa's most stable democracies; both major parties have relinquished power after losing elections. Even though Ghana's last presidential election result in 2008 was very close--less than 1% of the
