As we lurch into the campaign season, there seems to be little appetite for the election among Ghanaians. The economic difficulties are just too much for some people to bear. Meanwhile, the two major political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are poised for the race.
Despite its reservations about certain decisions of the Electoral Commission (EC) and its chairperson, Madam Jean Mensah, NDC has restored its working relationship with her. While this looks like a goodwill gesture, it is an imperative. If the party seeks to capture power in 2024, it has no other option than to work with the institution.
The ruling party on its part, is strategically utilizing its incumbency to sell its message. Despite some challenges, the All-African Games is touted as a success and a potential substitute for the country’s inglorious exit from the Cup of Nations football tournament in the neighbouring Ivory Coast.
In a bid to energize the government and strengthen the party’s chances in the election, the president has finally reshuffled his cabinet despite his previous refusal to do so. On 7TH December, the Ghanaian electorate must choose between “continuity” and “return to a tested path”.
The Campaign Messages
In the absence of their respective manifestoes, their message is verbal. It occasionally renders it confusing if not conflicting. As a matter of record, both parties are touting their achievements in office as a selling point. With the NDC’s candidate being the immediate past President, won’t that make the race keen and interesting?
The government is banking on its interventions like free education, planting for food and jobs along with its digitalization drive as a selling point. However, the opposition accuses it of corruption and ineptitude. By Pointing to the economy and emphasizing on issues like inflation and exchange rate concerns, the NDC is trying to win the hearts and minds, likewise the votes of most Ghanaians.
Unfortunately for both sides, their candidates have some burden of incumbency to shoulder. As a flagbearer for the governing party, Dr. Bawumia has some loads stemming from him being the substantive Vice President. On the other hand, John Mahama’s campaign would also have to answer questions relating to his past stint as the president.
The regional factor
On this issue, regional balance and fairness matter a lot despite the predominance of winning as the singular factor of political parties. Coincidentally, both candidates are from the Northern part of the country. Mahama hails from Bole in the Savannah region and Bawumia comes from Walewale in the North East region.
To ensure regional balance and continuity, the NDC chose Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman from the Central Region. Dr. Bawumia and the NPP have not announced their running mate, it is most likely that the person would hail from the Ashanti Region. Having presented a candidate from the North, the ruling NPP cannot afford to antagonize its vote bank. What will be the impact of the Northern origin on the outcome of the election?
Fundamentally, a split result in the northern zone could see the southern belt of the country becoming the decider. This in turn makes the swing regions very important. Regions like Greater Accra, Western and Central region are notorious for their unpredictable voting patterns and the current situation makes them even more crucial to the victory of either candidate.
The Electorate
Voting in the December election will be issues-based and top on the list of many Ghanaians will be the economy. The opposition accuses the government of corruption and mismanagement and pleads with the electorate to entrust it with the power to change their fortunes.
Meanwhile, the government continues to cite Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine as the cause of the country’s economic challenges. Another important issue of concern for Ghanaians is the fight against corruption. The issue is a growing menace. Its endemic nature alarms Ghanaians but until the day, Ghanaians are tight-lipped on their preferred party and candidate.
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