Richard Ahiabgah, director of communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prior to the by-election in Assin North on Tuesday, June 27, for mistreating a journalist
According to Mr. Ahiagbah, the journalist who works for Peace FM in Accra allegedly suffered abuse because of a video documentary about the “bushy James Gyakye Quayson’s plot.”
He claimed that the President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has been properly notified about this needless assault of a journalist who is merely trying to do his job.
Mr Ahiagbah tweeted that “The video shows where Mr. Gyakye Quayson’s house would have been if he had a house in the Assin North Constituency.”
“Gyakye Quayson does not have a house in the constituency he wants to represent. Say no to the abuse of journalists. Say no to James Gyakye Quayson. Vote NPP’s Charles Opoku as MP of Assin North.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Ernest Owusu Bempah, the NPP’s deputy director of communications, added in a statement that it was obvious that the NDC hoodlums felt safe at the press conference location and used the journalist as a bargaining chip. He claimed that the NDC will do anything to restrict press freedom because, at its core, it does not believe that the media’s job is to hold governments accountable.
“At this juncture, I call on the Ghana Journalist Association(GJA) to stand up and be counted. The GJA needs to speak out and call out the NDC on the injustice meted out to one of its own.”
Ernest Owusu Bempah
Voter Turnout Will Decide The Election
According to Professor Alidu Seidu, Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana, the political party that can mobilize its supporters to vote in the Assin North by-election in the Central Region is likely to win.
He stated that there will be a close race, and voter turnout “will be a big decider.”
In order to mobilize the electorate daily up until election day, Prof. Seidu recommended political parties to employ what he called “election-day prompters.” He advised the prompters to use a “door-to-door” strategy to get individuals to cast their ballots.
“The voter turnout is very important. Whatever you do and whatever message you preach and the benefit you give, you will lose if people do not go out to vote.”
Prof. Alidu Seidu
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawiumia, and former President John Dramani Mahama have all visited the constituency ahead of the election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27.
According to Prof. Seidu, who evaluated the political messaging used by the NPP and NDC, he averred that both parties had used propaganda techniques to win over voters.
He claimed that while the NPP is “going on a tangent of fear” and cautioning voters that the NDC candidate may be incarcerated bound, the NDC is appealing to the psycho-emotional element of the voters by bringing up the “victimization” of Mr. Gyaakye Quayson to get compassion from voters.
“Both political parties are digressing towards propaganda. In the case of the NDC, appealing to the psycho-emotional aspect of the people and in the case of the NPP, appealing to their emotion of fear.”
Prof Alidu Seidu
According to Prof. Seidu, political messages should be development-oriented and concentrate on boosting the welfare and well-being of the populace, even though the propaganda method is not incorrect in a democratic process.
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