With seven days before the December 7 presidential election, Primenewsghana.com weighs the chances of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), against incumbent President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress.
Here are six reasons why Akufo-Addo may emerge winner of the election next week.
1. Enthusiasm Gap
Supporters of Akufo-Addo have more enthusiasm to vote than those of Mahama because they have been in opposition for eight years. They have more drive and hunger to go out and vote than NDC supporters. In a country where elections are so close, this could be defining factor on December 7.
2. Corruption
Corruption is a major problem for Ghanaians because it stifles development by putting money meant for the majority of the citizenry into the pockets of a few people in power.
The good news for Akufo-Addo is that he has built an image as an incorruptible public servant. Unlike many of his NPP colleagues, he has never been indicted for any corrupt act. He is appealing to voters who want someone who can urgently and decisively fight corruption.
The editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr., said of Akufo-Addo’s integrity:
“I don’t know why people have refused to see that in terms of integrity, Nana Addo is indestructible. You may not like him for one or two reasons and that is natural. He himself does not expect everybody to like him. But like him or not, in terms of his political and professional career, his integrity is indestructible. "
Mahama, on the other hand, has to take responsibility for the several corruption scandals that have plagued his administration, including the Smarrty’s bus branding scandal and the GYEEDA and SADA sccandals. Another problem for the president is that the spate of the scandals may depress his supporters and prevent them from going out to vote, so that it does seem as though they endorse corruption.
3. Economy
The Ghanaian economy has been so deeply challenged that Ghana has had to sign up to an IMF programme.
Businesses are reeling under the effect of huge taxes and an erratic power supply while unemployment still remains a huge problem.
Akufo-Addo's message of industrial transformation and job creation is likely to resonate with many who believe that the state of the economy is the single most important issue in this election.
Although initially derided, Akufo-Addo’s “One district, one factory†policy has caught the attention of many Ghanaians and given them a reason to vote.
4. Eight-year rule
No party has won more two consecutive elections in the fourth Republic. The trend shows that each of the two main parties does eight years and relinquishes power to the other party. With the NDC's 8th year due in December, it's natural that voter apathy towards the party would have set in. Many voters will crave an air of change.
It is also possible that many supporters of the NDC's who are disappointed at the party's performance in the last eight years will not go to the poll to vote at all. All these factors will work in Akufo-Addo's favour.
5. Sympathy Votes
Being the older of the two candidates and having lost two previous elections, Akufo-Addo is more likely to attract sympathy votes. There is something magical about the number three. The late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, for instance, won on his third attempt. Unconfirmed reports that Akufo-Addo is not in the best physical shape will also help garner sympathy votes.
6. Bawumia factor
In Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Nana has a candidate who is deemed to be highly qualified and trustworthy where issues of economics and finance are concerned. Bawumia also appeals to the middle class and is appealing to floating voters who find his expertise valuable for a struggling economy like ours.
It is not surprise that the NDC has gone extraordinary lengths to try and discredit Bawumia and effectively discredit his message.
Conclusion
It will be a tight race on December 7, but Akufo-Addo stands a good chance of coming up tops.
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