Ghanaians have voted in large numbers to choose between two foreign-trained lawyers hoping to lead them into an era of prosperity from newfound oil.

Observers said Sunday's voting in the hotly contested poll was generally peaceful despite delays in some areas and violence at a handful of polling stations.

The results of Ghana's simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections will be closely watched as it is regarded as one of Africa's most established and stable democracies.

The vote marks the country's second successive transfer of power, something that has been achieved by just a handful of African states to date.

Successful polls would be a boost for democracy in the continent after recent electoral bloodshed in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

Waiting to vote

Voters waited in their hundreds at some polling stations from early morning in the coastal capital Accra.

Voting got under way at 07:00 GMT, with polling stations closing at 17:00 GMT.

An estimated 12.4 million people registered to vote, equivalent to around half the country's population of 23 million.

"The fact that it's successful doesn't mean it doesn't have problems. Indeed the country sufffers from many ills," Nkrumah said.

"But it is the first African country to gain independence and the rest of Africa is watching very keenly what goes on there politically. If it has succeeded then other countries hopefully can."

Neck and neck

The leading candidates remained neck and neck and analysts believe neither candidate will poll the 50 per cent plus one vote needed to avoid a run-off.

There are eight candidates standing for election to succeed John Kufuor, the current president and leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is required by law to step down having served two terms.

But the real contest is between Nana Akufo-Addo, Kufuor's chosen successor, and John Atta Mills, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Kufuor won the 2004 presidential race after securing 52.5 per cent of the vote, while Mills, who also contested the previous election, got 44.5 per cent.

Voters slept outside polling stations in an attempt to be among the first to cast their ballots.

The ruling NPP is fighting the election on a continuity ticket, pointing to unprecedented economic growth of around six per cent - three times the global average.

Wages are low while much of the population, even in Accra, live with inadequate electricity.

The opposition NDC is campaigning on a platform for change, saying it is time ordinary Ghanians reaped the benefits of economic success.