Ninety days before the elections and it’s finally starting to feel like one. The launch of the National Democratic Congress’ manifesto for the 2020 election has seemingly sparked the election into life completing that face for the two main political parties in the Country.
The manifesto dubbed the People’s Manifesto was crafted as one “of the people, by the people and for the people.” This suggests the NDC has decided to go back to its roots in a bid to win the race for flagstaff house by “implementing its core mandate as Social Democrats who subscribe to a compassionate political philosophy that seeks to create opportunities for all to develop to their fullest potential.”
The party’s general secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah highlighted the success to be attained in involving the masses in decision making by making a reference to the 1992 constitution which was drawn up by the masses and has become the longest serving constitution in the history of the country.
He said the decisions stemmed from “outside the box thinking” terming the “NDC’s People’s Manifesto, an out-of-the-box solution to Ghana’s problems.”
Another result of the “outside the box thinking” according to Mr Nketiah was the decision by NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama to choose a female running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemanan, an unprecedented occurrence in Ghana’s politics.
In the manifesto, she describes the decision as one that depicts inclusiveness and a willingness to allow the participation of all Ghanaians.
“It signifies inclusive and participatory democracy, which prioritises the needs of all: the head porters (Kayayei), okada riders, market women, traders, farmers, seamstresses, tailors, hair dressers, beauticians, carpenters, masons, steel binders, car mechanics, fishermen, teachers, nurses, security persons, persons with disabilities and all others, irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity, profession or geographical location,” the statement said.
The flagbearer, John Mahama also suggested his time in opposition after his term as president had better prepared him to steer the affairs of the country in the right direction.
“I have had the opportunity, during the period, to reflect soberly on the challenges and expectations of governance and the heavy burden of people’s hopes and aspirations that come with it.
“Ghana cannot afford to do things in the same old way. Survival and success for today and future generations require a much more urgent and, in some cases, painful change of prevailing economic and social relations,” his manifesto statement said.
Against the backdrop of a life-altering pandemic that has drastically changed how party planned to run, the race enters its final few months under historic unpredictability.
The NDC manifesto admitted its “consultative process was interrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic” which however didn’t lead to the abandonment of their objective.
“We continued, using technology and small group meetings, until our objectives were achieved,” said a statement in the manifesto
That the manifesto launch had a lot of video insets—with people affirming their problems—emphasized the consultative process in the manifesto drafting process.
As to whether going back to the roots or basics will make a difference in who gets sworn into power come January 2021 cannot be ascertained but going back to your basics can certainly strengthen your foundation.
