What Would Be The Deciding Factor for Election 2020?

We've been given a clue.

In two words: 'Quality records', says President Akufo-Addo. Would that include corruption and illegal mining also known as Galamsey?

I think most Ghanaians are still interested in who can fight this particular canker (corruption) which has been hanging around our necks like albatross. It's believed, corruption is what culminated the defeat of Mahama administration in 2016.

No doubt, the Ghanaian electorate will be the final arbiter. They'll have to juxtapose corruption among other things of the two administrations and make that crucial decision on December 7. The inevitable question is: Who did a good job, the NPP or NDC?

Enough to say the political ground has swirled and the race to the Jubilee House is gathering momentum by the day as political strategists of the two major parties are sharpening their tools ahead of the December 2020 presidential poll.

It portends to be fascinating at the same time eye-popping. Already, President Akufo-Addo has reminded his party communicators that Ghana isn't a nuclear nation where voters will have to choose between for instance a candidate who's his finger on a trigger or not. Rather, he said: "The question we will have to ask ourselves is: Who do you think can best manage the affairs on the country both in normal times as well as in extraordinary times..our quality records speak volumes?"

In a zoom meeting on Sunday 12, July 2020, with the party's campaign communications advisory team Mr. Akufo-Addo said the December election campaign must focus on quality of achievements of the ruling NPP, notably. education, infrastructure development, women & health social-economic development, good roads, enhanced agriculture and many more.

"The quality of achievements of this government in various areas, whether is education, health, infrastructure development..social-economic across board has been one that has virtually affected everybody in the country. There's no part in Ghana that can say somehow or rather, they'd been left out of this programme development..," he said.

"We've to be very very insistent on looking at the records of the two leaders in the period of the governorship etc. And i think that it's inescapable as far as this election is concerned," he emphasised.

He believes comparing the track records of the two leaders can boost their chances of re-election or will inure to the benefit of the Elephant.

Indeed, there's no underdog in this race, this writer has observed. As there'd never been a clash between an immediate past president and a sitting president in the nation's political history. This makes it striking, and historic. Thus, for the first time, incumbent President Akufo-Addo will have a match-up with former President John Mahama. It will mimic the clash of the titans.

Both contenders have tasted defeat and victory before. Mr. Akufo-Addo prior to his election and coronation in January 7, 2017, had lost two times (in 2008 and 2012, to former Presidents Atta-Mills & John Mahama) in his bid to assume the reins of power.

He was, however, lucky at the third shot. One win two losses.

On the other hand, his opponent fmr. President Mahama has one win (2012) and lost one in (2016).

Now the battle line has been drawn.

President Akufo-Addo told the NPP communicators to insist on comparing his record with that of former President Mahama as they campaign for his reelection. The President further charged the communicators to ask Ghanaians to make a decision based on records on which of the two leaders is best to be trusted with affairs of the nation.

Mr. Akufo-Addo who is in isolation said the NPP has a superior message of achievement to tell Ghanaians.

Campaign Attacks

Meanwhile, the 2020 campaign team has advised its communicators against attacking ethnicity or gender of their opponents.

"Do a campaign which is not about where you come from. Whipping up ethnic sentiments has never helped this country. This diversity, this mosaic, this tapestry, which is full of so many different elements but comes together in the Ghanaian statement which I call the Ghana project," Mr Akufo-Addo said.

The admonition comes on the back of the incessant attacks from some NPP officials on the opposition NDC’s running mate Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang following her announcement by former President John Mahama.

Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid the Deputy campaign manager for the NPP’s campaign team in a statement said: “We, therefore, urge all who speak for, or purport to speak for the party to refrain from attacking political opponents. We specifically ask that no reference should ever be made to opponents’ ethnicity, religion or gender.

“We shall campaign on our record and win. Indeed, there is enough to speak about with regard to our record. We cannot beat our opponents in the politics of calumny. Let us therefore refrain”.

By Gordon Offin-Amaniampong