My Thoughts on December 7 Elections…….Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako
November 21, 2008
Regardless of what NDC and NPP as well as the various polls may
suggest, I think the December elections can go either way. My gut
feeling AS AT THIS MORNING (19/11/2008) is that NDC may possibly win
it in a run-off. However, there are issues that I think may affect
each of the two parties.
NPP
I think the NPP has a distinct incumbency DISADVANTAGE. Apart from
people who may be genuinely disappointed with certain policies
decisions of the (ruling) government over the two terms, the current
global economic situation does not favour any incumbent anywhere in
the world. I also think there are some independent voters who voted
for the NPP in the last two elections who may either not vote for them
again this time or not vote at all. I know a few such people, and the
NPP would have to use the next few weeks to woo back those
(disaffected or disenchanted) independent voters.
NDC
The key question for the NDC would be whether the party can win the
votes of independent voters who do not like the party’s association
with the PNDC and its human rights record. It will also need to win
independent voters who still worry about the role of President
Rawlings in the NDC. Once again, I know a few people who will not vote
for the NDC because they worry about the human rights record of the
(P)NDC and the possibility of President Rawlings playing any role in
shaping the character of an NDC government. I also think the NDC
should not be too excited by the ‘return’ of members of the Reform
Party. The effect of the Reform Party, in my view, was only felt in
the first round of the 2000 elections. I don’t think members of the
Reform Party voted for President Kufour in the 2000 run-off or in the
2004 elections.
The Nduom Effect
I think the NDC will lose the first round if Dr. Ndoum performs as
well as he is expected to. I believe that in the past two elections,
not many die-hard Nkrumaists voted for the NPP. On the contrary, NDC
have since 1992 benefited hugely from the fragmentation and inactivity
of the Nkrumaist front. It seems to me that Dr. Nduom has to a large
extent rejuvenated the CPP and those Nkrumaist who voted for the NDC
in the past will vote for Dr. Nduom in the first round. That will take
quite a number of votes from the NDC and will play to the NPP’s
advantage. In the event of a run-off, NDC may potentially gain from
traditional Nkrumaists and that is where the NPP may get into trouble.
And this is why my hunch this morning is that NDC may win in a
run-off, given the other possible disadvantages the NPP may face, not
the least the possibility that all opposition parties may gang up
against the ruling party at that stage. These are just my thoughts; my
mouth is not God or a gun. Thank you.
Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako
Accra, Ghana
Please send your comments here…….
Comments
24 Responses to “My Thoughts on December 7 Elections…….Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako”
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Ghanaians should be weary of our politicians in this country because it is the ordinary citizen who is always at the receiving end after voting. Our politicians only come to our door step when they need our thumbs for endorsement in to office.
When they have been given the political power to serve us, they tend to rule us, make laws, increase taxes, increase prices on commodities, etc for us to squeeze ourselves to accommodate and adhere to. Is this right?
Again after voting for them, we end up having the less of privileges and chances whiles they and their families have full access to a lot of privileges and chances to better their lives. Is this right?
Finally, when the politicians decide to be selfish and greedy to fulfill their keen desires, who suffer? It is we the ordinary citizen. Is this right?
The ordinary voter should be wise in voting for such leaders because at the end it’s the cumulative effort of our thumb that will cause us pain and suffering. Let us be wise and vote peacefully and remember that our thumbs shall be responsible for our actions and inactions.
Why is the NDC always talking about rigging and how the NPP is trying to ’steal’ the 2008 election? Does the NDC know something they don’t want to tell the good people of this country?
For me, I don’t want to believe that there will be any rigging in the Dec. 2008 polls but if the NDC think otherwise, then I think they know something that the NPP is doing which is similar to what they did to win the 1992 and 1996 elections.
Let no one think that losing an election means your opponent rigged the polls. It is simply that, majority of Ghanaians don’t want whatever policy the party has for them.
Let those who are crying foul even before the ball is kicked be quiet and rather concentrate on how they can win the confidence of Ghanaians rather than accusations and personality attack.
It won’t help any party that is seriously contesting an election!
Kojo,Please let the ECG know that,they play a vital role in this year’s election,so we don’t need any power outage when the ballot boxes are transferred to the centre or during the counting of the votes.
Kojo ,i was very sad when i read Albert Kan Dapaah,s story yesterday saying he will fly his family out of the country should the election turn into war.He even went ahead to include his fellow ministers.
This should be a wake up call for all the youth in this country to desist from any thing which will jeopardise the peace currently bruising over us.
They should not exchange their VOTE with money, for the little money that will be given to them today cant sustain them for the next four years.
They rather vote for the person that they think can uplift the image of this dear country of ours.
VOTE WISELY.
GOD BLESS ALL THE YOUTH IN GHANA.
I think the NDC will lead, but there will be a second round where NDC will win by 53-55%. But he most important thing is that the election process is very peaceful. All we have is Ghana and we donot have anywhere else to go.
In your dreams…
The NDC will get beat in the first round…
The Ghanaweb poll is the best poll if you check its history!
Ghanaweb has predicted the president correctly EVERY single time…
I think the NDC will win looking at the crowd that genuinely follow them anywhere they go unlike the NPP which normally bus people to their rallies.
Secondly, the NPP has failed in its bid to link the NDC to the former President JJ Rawlings. Rawlings’s time is past and can therefore play any role in an NDC government led by Prof Attah Mills. The electorates have seen through the NPP tricks, deceits and lies and might vote against them.
Nana Akufo Addoo does not enjoy the support of the strong hold of the NPP because of what the Equirer is alleged to have said that the Ashantis fear losing their chieftaincy dominance over the Akans to the Akyems.
This will also break their front.
I think NPP will win the Dec. 7 elections one touch because of the numerous developmental projects that have been completed and also ongoing. Also all the credible polls shows that NPP is going to win. NDC is pulling crowd but NPP is pulling more than NDC. NDC knows that they are going to lose and it is crystal clear that is why they are all ways beating the war drum and making all kind of allegations that are not true.
let us (NDC) forget it now and start growing our next President (John Mahama) for 2016 election. See im fully NDC but at the same time a realist. Please let’s accept defeat and plan for the next one. This time let Ex-president be mute we the yourth will fight and win. Long live NDC long live Ghana.
A ture NDC AND GHANAIAN.
If you want to leave in a DRUG FREE COUNTRY, if you want JUSTICE FOR ALL, GOOD and QUALITY EDUCATION and a CORRUPT FREE COUNTRY then vote Prof. Atta Mills the peaceful, humble and God fearing man for a BETTER GHANA. He is number 3 on the ballot paper.
Do not waste your vote on ARROGANCE, CORRUPTION, LIES, SELECTIVE JUSTICE, VINDICTIVENESS and DRUGS. Ghanaians, please vote wisely, vote Prof Atta Mills.
Kojo you are fantastic media guy i have seen credible in our generation with clear and balance objective in issues during this moment keep it up,i think joy online i used i as best and authentic source of news is doing itself unfortunate de service, by always publishing bogos survey report, last time Ben ELPHSON SAID THE WILL BE run off and nest day another poll saying Npp got 50.6 % and NDC35 %and now BNI say first round victory for NPP , WHY ALL THIS OR IT IS JUST MEA CAMPAIGN TO DECEIVE PUBLIC,AM VERY SORRY.
I THINK MEDIA IN THIS YEARS ELECTION HAS PERFORMED POORLY , THEY WERE BIAS TOWARDS OPPOSITION PARTIES TRYING ALL MEAN TO SELL THE DESTINY OF THIS COUNTRY TO THEIR,PAROCHIAL INTEREST BY TAKING MONEY FROM POLITICIANS AND POUTING OUT NEWS THAT ARE IN TO DESTROY THE OPPOSITION PARTIES FORTUNES, FOR INSTANCE DR PAA KWASI , AS THE RULING PARTY REALIZE THAT ,CPP IS MAKING IN ROADS THEY DECEDED PUBLISH THAT COOKED LETTER PURPORTED HAVE WRITTEN BY DR. PAA KWESI,JUST TO DERAIL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN HIM.IN MY OPINION , I THINK NO CROP OF PEOPLE SHOULD RULE OUR COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN 8 YEARS , NPP HAS DONE IT BEST AND I PROMISE YOU, IF THEY WIN THEY WILL PERFORM POORLY, SINCE YOU ARE NOT OUT THE MEDIA YET YOU WILL SOON SEE, BECAUSE, ARROGANCE, CORRUPTION HAS FIND IT WAY IN TO THEM NOW.I HOPE YOU CAN FEEL THAT YOUR SELF,.TODAY WHEN PEOPLE LIKE KWAMINA AGYPONG MOUNT PLATFORM DO HEAR HIM, WHEN WAS HE LIVING BEFORE NPP WON AN ELECTION, ASAMOAUH BOATENG LISTEN TO HIM THIS DAYS , A TAXI DRIVER FROM UK, EVEN MEDICAL DOCTORS WHO WERE , SERVING LIVES BEFORE HE RETURNED SOME OF THEM ARE WITHOUT HOUSES TODAY .
SO TO ME MEDIA DID NOT DO WELL AT ALL,BECAUSE THEY THEY ARE NOT BALANCE ON REPORTAGE, I THINK WE NEED BALANCE MEDIA IN FUTURE.
Honestly speaking I have seen clearly that the NPP is deceitful and money diggers.Let us look at the soo called Kuffour,s son,s so called his hotel in Accra around Airport area which Kuffour claims it was purchased by his son.Kuffour how much money is your son being paid in Britain, for him to get such a huge amount of money to buy such a hotel.How old is he and how many years has helived and work with the Pricewater house that you are boasting of.I do not expert you to put such alie onyour son.Kuffour you know of this hotel deal.Both you and your son need to be srutinize.The hotel is not for your son.We do not need such peoplle on the political scene.NPP WILL LOSE IN A LARGE NEGETIVE MARGIN. GOOD BYE.
NDC with the Professor steering my deep prayers go with you to handle the people of Ghana as you handled your class one pupils.We need teachers who are skillful to be in the wheels. We are fed up of lies by the NPP. NDC will win by aland slide-ie 55%-56% NO NEED FOR A SECOND RUNOFF.GOD BLESS NDC give them courage to tackle the affairs of mother GHANA.
Frank Benneh should be pick up for interrogation for dealing with a substance ie cocaine with the so called NDC government.Frank this is rediculous, when you were enjoying the honey on your bread ,whom did you notify of your bad activities.You need to be arrested for your actions.You are like one who has killed somebody for years back and now God has opened your mouth to say it.Or do you think that saying this will give you a position in the NPP government.You are athreat to Ghana.Woye kataso muamuaso nipa.It will be ashame on the part of the NPP to even allow you to follow them to a rally.
frieds us why did ghana become the gate way for drugs,i told them is the goverment elected,even in japan most japanees are supprise.ghanaians lets bring a new goverment who can fight for our country,we have only ghana,ghanaians want to travil,we cannot get visa,why,i hope every ghanaian will understand our suiations.ghana fist,
Why should the NDC think they can win the elecion when the have no independency in their leadership unless what Rawlings says. We Ghanaians have suffered enough for military torture and will not want to witness it any more. Why should formal president says he made a mistake by peacefully handing over to whom Ghanaians elected. This shows that the former president and his NDC has nothing good for Ghanaians. General Felley was kill for only 5 cedis while Daniel Abodakpe spent less than 3 years in prison for 400,000 US dollar. This means that we should leave and forget about the past therefore no turning back. Forward Ever Backward Never.
Why should the NDC think they can Ghanaians will vote for them when they have no independency in their leadership unless what Rawlings says. We Ghanaians have suffered enough for military torture and will not want to witness any form of it. Why should the former president says he made a mistake by peacefully handing over to whom Ghanaians elected. This shows that the former president and his NDC has nothing good for Ghanaians. General Feli was killed for only 5 cedis loan he even started paying while Daniel Abodakpe spent less than 3 years in prison for 400,000 US dollar emberseled. This means that we should leave and forget about the past therefore no turning back. Forward Ever Backward Never.
Good morning Kojo,
Please, I invite you to read the following article by clicking on it!n The NPP Must Pull Out of the IDU!, Feature Article of Thursday, 27 November 2008 on Ghanaweb. It has important and far reaching implications on peace and security in the future!
I am confident that you know how to proceed to compose a debate topic on this matter and ask all the right questions after reading this article! Good luck for mother Ghana!
Thank you for the kind attention for the political health of our dear country!
sincerely,
Nana Akyea Mensah
i tink the NDC is on its way to victory. We are fed up with the NPP. I am not a member of NDC but i tink that 8years is enough for the NPP. Lets change direction and move forward into a better Ghana. Properity for all and not a few like arthur kennedy, kennedy agyapong, hackman and others like him.
Peace above all is what we want. Ghana must come out victoriously than any political party.
Stop using my name Edward!
your silly propaganda holds no merit….The NDC will never come back to power because, Ghanaians are civilized and won’t vote for a party which might prevent the type of freedom of speech we are practicing right now!
If Atta-Mills wins watch how this blog and many others will morph…
ONLY THE GHANAIANS WITH THESE ATRIBUTES CAN SAVE GHANA
GODLY
HONEST
ACCOUNTABLE
NOBLE
ABLE
INDUSRTIOUS
ADVENTUROUS
NATIONALIST
FREEDOM IS NOT LINCENSE FOR CHAOS
VISION IS NOT THE SAME AS HALLUCINATION
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION
AND THAT IS WHAT WILL EXALT GHANA IN 7TH DEC.2008 ELECTION
We would be allowing ourselves to be taken for a ride if we vote the NPP government back into power. You should see how much money has been pumped into the NPP’s campaign before and during these last few days of campaigning.
How much of the tax payers money is going into campaining for the NPP? One should ask, why did they organise all those fund raisers? These were all to have an avenue to lie about where the funding is coming from.
Now they are educating their followers with sample ballot papers. Before we realise, the real ones would have been mixed up with the samples and sent out just as a cocaine dealer would build a spare parts shop and be dealing cocaine behind the scene making it look like his money is from the spare parts he deals in.
I can go on and on but Ghanaians need to think about their future and vote the sitting government out.
NDC, PNC IS ALL CHANGE BUT CPP IS MORE TROUBLE FOR GHANA. LETS ASK PAA KWESI IF HIS WORKERS AT HIS HOTEL AND BANK (FIRST NATIONAL) FEEL CHANGE IN THEIR POCKETS. IF THE PEOPLE IN HIS HOTEL WERE EVEN THE ONLY ONES TO VOTE IN GHANA, PAA KWESI WOULD HAVE LOST SO LET’S BE WISE AND VOTE THE NDC OR PNC FOR REAL CHANGE. “MA NO ESI”
In my opinion no particular party should be allowed by ghanains to rule for more than two terms as this WILL - in this part of our world - ‘enhance’ abuse of incumbency and complacency, on the part of the ruling government. As a matter of fact there’s the need for proper accountability. And for this to work we must change - after all no single party has the solution to our needs - for the incoming government to audit the outgoing. I therefore call on all ghanains to heed this credo of change and vote for the NDC come Dec. 28.