Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a notable figure within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed that the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is gaining attractiveness with his vision as the December elections approach.
In an article, the private legal practitioner and political strategist remarked that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, is losing support.
“From my observatory, the closer we get to December 7, the more appealing the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party and his vision become. For the National Democratic Congress presidential candidate, the D-Day cannot come early enough. It is about stopping the chipping away rotor.”
He recognized the essential importance of voters in selecting a candidate they can rely on to fulfil their promises.
“For those who engage me on what I think, I always sum up my response this way: that, in the end, we should trust Ghanaian voters to do what they see as best for them and the country.”
He outlined the primary factors that Ghanaians are expected to consider when casting their votes, which include the visions of the two leading candidates, their policy proposals, plans for job creation, and their commitment to combating corruption, among other issues.
“Who is better plugged into the livewires of global economic trends and Ghana’s strategic position in the building of Africa’s single market of 1.4 billion consumers? Not from what they say, but from what you know about them, which of them can you trust on corruption? Which of the two do you believe can better protect and grow the public purse?
“Which of them has really convinced you about his agenda for jobs? Which of the two has persuaded you enough with his vision and policy initiatives that he really knows what time it is?”
Gabby characterized the forthcoming election as the most dynamic competition in Ghana’s history.
“I tell them what I see from where I sit. Which is that, for the presidency, it looks like a tight race and probably the most fluid contest we have ever seen, as more voters now than ever in previous elections appear to be making up or changing their minds, as more facts and sharper campaign messages are used to disrupt opinions earlier formed.”
Read the article by Gabby Otchere-Darko
What I observe for December 7
People often ask of my views on the 2024 presidential election in Ghana, especially, knowing my history with presidential campaigns, from research to strategy.
I tell them what I see from where I sit. Which is that, for the presidency, it looks like a tight race and probably the most fluid contest we have ever seen, as more voters now than ever in previous elections appear to be making up or changing their minds, as more facts and sharper campaign messages are used to disrupt opinions earlier formed.
From my observatory, the closer we get to December 7, the more appealing the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party and his vision become. For the National Democratic Congress presidential candidate, the D-Day cannot come early enough. It is about stopping the chipping away rotor.
A couple of factors may also be responsible for this: a greater objective scrutiny by voters of the alternative to the ruling NPP, with a less prejudicial look at the work done since 2017, as compared to the previous eight, and linked to that is a deeper comparative analysis of the two leading presidential candidates, their respective leadership track records and what each of them have to offer.
For those who engage me on what I think, I always sum up my response this way: that, in the end, we should trust Ghanaian voters to do what they see as best for them and the country.
However, in a tight race such as this and the time left, it will all boil down to which party has the most effective D-Day strategy, particularly, who deploys the most efficient voter mobilisation plan.
From my humble observation, voters are being guided by a few key considerations which I will touch on below. Over these closing days to the elections, I expect the narrative to narrow down to a naked personality contest; stripping them down and focusing more and more on the two leading candidates: what they say, what they do, what they have done, what they can be trusted to do, which character trait of theirs that either appeals to or frightens voters.
Which of these two men, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama, will you, the voter, want to lead Ghana over the next four years? That is the search question that each and every voter should evaluate properly, without the weight of emotions.
Which of them can you trust to protect and promote the education of your children and the health of older folks? Who can best build the roads in your community, keep the light on and the water flowing, affordably? Which of the two can you trust to manage the economy with care, caution and competence?
Who is better plugged into the livewires of global economic trends and Ghana’s strategic position in the building of Africa’s single market of 1.4 billion consumers?
Not from what they say, but from what you know about them, which of them can you trust on corruption? Which of the two do you believe can better protect and grow the public purse?
Which of them has really convinced you about his agenda for jobs? Which of the two has persuaded you enough with his vision and policy initiatives that he really knows what time it is?
This is part one of a four-part series. Part two will be published on Friday, 29 November.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko
The writer is a lawyer in private practice and a political strategist
Bawumia is the person best to continue my husband’s legacy – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
