In a country where people admire and reward humility, politicians tend to do anything to prove that they are humble.
Ghanaian politicians, especially when they are contesting in tight elections, have proven over the years that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win power.
Even those who build a reputation over many decades as powerful and strong people have no problem falling to the level of ordinary Ghanaians if that is what it will take to win elections.
The latest individual to put this kind of play into motion is Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
Mr Vanderpuije has won the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s parliamentary primary for Ablekuma South, a constituent he is favoured to easily win in December. Yet he does not appear to be taking any chances.
In shocking pictures that quickly overwhelmed the Ghanaian internet space yesterday, Mr Vanderpuije was seen cooking soup for some residents of the constituency.
He aggressively made banku.
And in the most shocking picture of all, the AMA CEO was seen plaiting a woman's hair.
There is a reason why the pictures have created so much waves online: They are inconsistent with Mr Vanderpuije's posturing over the years as a firebrand and a no-nonsense politician. Even a smile was hard to get from him in the past.
He is, however, not the only politician to have engaged in this kind of conduct to boost his humility standing among Ghanaians:
Dr Mahamamudu Bawumia
The NPP vice-presidential candidate pounded fufu during his tour of the Northern Region ahead of the 2012 elections.
He also helped out at a flour mill.
Nana Akufo-Addo
The NPP presidential candidate made a potential dangerous walk across a lagoon in Accra.
He played cards with some members of a community in Accra.
Akufo-Addo also ate kenkey publicly with some NPP bigwigs.
John Mahama
The president went on a potentially dangerous ride on a power bike.
Michael Kpessa-Whytte
The director of the National Service Secretariat cooked banku ahead of the NDC parliamentary primary in the Shia Osudoku Constituency. He lost that election.
Several other top politicians have tried to connect to the people suspiciously close to election period.
A female NPP parlimamentary aspirant cooked banku for some members of her constituency.
Another parliamentary aspirant bathed a boy in her constituency.
Conclusion: In some cases, the various candidates do what they do because they want to prove they can connect to the people and relate to the challenges those people face. But the question is: Will the "honeymoon" continue after the elections?
Let's have your comments below.
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