Three flag Bearers 'Show Off' In Accra

The Greater Accra Region has been a fierce battle ground this week for three frontline flag bearers as they undertake important campaign activities across the region ahead of the December election.

President John Mahama of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) have all taken their messages to the constituents in the region.

The crowds that have followed the campaign trail of these flag bearers indicate that the battle to capture one of the swing regions in the country is just beginning.

In the 2000 election, the NPP won 16 parliamentary seat in the Greater Accra Region, while the NDC managed only six seats.

But whereas the NPP maintained the number of its parliamentary seats in the region in 2004, the NDC made significant progress, grabbing 11 seats.

The electoral fortunes of the NPP in the region plummeted in 2008 as it won only nine parliamentary seats, while the NDC had good fortunes winning 16 seats.

President Mahama had been touring parts of the region on Tuesday and Wednesday on the last leg of his ‘Thank You Tour’ meant to express gratitude to the people for commiserating with the government after the death and funeral of the late President J. E. A. Mills.

While performing that national duty, he had not failed to seize the opportunity to draw the people’s attention to the good works of the government, particularly under the superintendent of the late president and called on them to return the party to power.

For his part, Nana Addo has been touring various constituencies in Accra to rally support for the party in the December polls.

The main thrust of the campaign has been a reinforcement of his promise to provide free senior high school (SHS) education when elected as president.

He has also used the opportunity to criticise the government for what he believes to be a failure to deliver on the expectations of Ghanaians.

Although the campaign of Dr Nduom has not been as big as the flag bearers of the two major political parties, the naming and outdooring of his running mate on Wednesday was a key event that shook the foundations of Osu in particular.