President John Dramani Mahama yesterday ruled out that the December 2016 election was a done deal, predicting a tough duel.
The president told teeming supporters of the NDC at its campaign launch in Cape Coast that they should not be distracted but rather keep their eyes on the ball.
He predicted a keenly contested election and advised members of the NDC not to lose focus “but concentrate on preaching the achievements of the government since that is the only sure way to win the December 7 polls.”
He charged, “Don’t be distracted; we have a good track record,” adding that if the NDC is “given another term we’ll do even more” and continue to change more lives and transform Ghana.”
He described his tenure as “challenging,” blaming his shortcomings on the 2012 election petition and the power crisis (dumsor).
“My first term in office has been a very challenging but positive and fruitful one. In all the challenges that we have faced, God has created an opportunity for us to lay a foundation for the sustainable development of our dear nation Ghana. Shortly after our inauguration, the party was faced with the prolonged electoral dispute, some serious economic challenges, crippling power challenges, a spate of industrial arrests, market fires, dissatisfied with the election results, our opponents tied the whole nation down,” Mahama, told the crowd at the new Cape Coast sports stadium.
Attack
President Mahama bashed the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), saying its activists are full of insults.
He claimed that the NPP has “won an Olympic gold medal in insults,” claiming that the opposition party is quick to pat in the back any member who is able to hurl insults at him and members of his administration.
“The mark of a leader is one that is able to unite his supporters behind him. They are now quick to commend people who hurl insults at me and my government. Even former President Kufuor has not been spared the brunt of their attacks,” he told the teeming NDC supporters at the function.
Strangely, the president cleverly avoided the comments by his party activists who threatened judges with death as well as ‘raping’ the Chief Justice.
“It has been the characteristics and a feature in this election that the EC is attacked every step of the way by the NPP. And it is part of the strategy to discredit the EC…They are even quick to threaten people who differ with the opinions of the leader with physical harm. It is clear that they have already won an Olympic gold medal in insults,” the president stated.
NDC Ideals
On the ideals of the NDC he said, “I pledge to remain true to the ideals of the party. It’s going to be a hard election… we have what it takes to win.”
He said his “first term as president has been challenging but also very positive,” adding, “It began with the election case in court where many Ghanaians sat and followed through the process because it was televised and the international community also had been slow with the necessary support because of the uncertainty which was surrounding the outcome.”
Social Media Ban
President John Dramani Mahama gave the assurance that the social media won’t be shut down on Election Day as being threatened by security chiefs, particularly the Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor.
“I want to assure the people of Ghana that government has no intention to shut down social media on Election Day,” he affirmed.
Dumsor Gone?
Interestingly, the president told the gathering that the protracted power crisis (dumsor) had been banished by his government – at a time some places are still experiencing power cuts.
“We have put the worst power crisis behind us but a lot more remains to ensure sustainability of power supply,” he posited.
Veep’s Message
Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur described the NPP’s campaign message of ‘Change’ as a “threat to peaceful coexistence,” claiming, “It is extremely divisive and must be disregarded.”
He maintained, “The ‘Change is coming’ message is a threat to the stability and peace of this country.”
“I choose JM because he has brought change and transformation, as well as peace and stability to the nation. He has delivered the change and we are getting stability.”
Majority Leader Alban Bagbin appears to have resigned to his fate when he admitted that “getting enough MPs for NDC in 2016 polls is uncertain.”
According to him, “The area of uncertainty is the number of parliamentary seats the party is going to win and the campaign team must adopt a multi-purpose campaign strategy tailored to solving the interpersonal issues.”
By William Yaw Owusu