Why Ghanaians Will Vote For Dr Duffuor As President Of Ghana

It all started on social media with wild speculations and rumor. The speculations and suspicions were heightened when he launched his Ahoto project and started distributing items to party foot soldiers across constituencies and polling stations in the country. Yet some political pundits were still skeptical of the motives, whiles some suggested it was a campaign strategy, others said it was just a kind gesture he is showing to the party. These political pundits were not still convinced even when he made a public declaration on his intention to contest on the 3^rd of November,2022.

Well! It is official, it has been confirmed, because Dr Kwabena Duffuor,former finance minister has picked nomination forms to contest for the flagbearership position of the National Democratic Congress(NDC).Now that the able former finance minister has picked nomination forms to contest as flagbearer and by extension his desire to become president of Ghana, it will be imperative to catalogue and chronicle how the average Ghanaian voter will assess the respected economist before deciding whether they will vote for him or not. It is critical to indicate at this juncture that if he secures the mandate of the delegates and kingmakers of the NDC and becomes flagbearer, and eventually a potential president. Therefore, it will not be out of place to critically assess and examine the factors that will swing in the favour of Dr Kwabena Duffour, factors which Ghanaians will be looking out for before they vote. There are numerous factors that will play out to in favour of Dr Duffour.

First and foremost, his impressive and impeccable background as an economist, a banker, a finance person, a technocrat and a business mogul will play to his advantage because he will enjoy some goodwill and support from the middle and upper class in our society. His achievement and experience as deputy governor and substantive governor of the Bank of Ghana in 1995 and 1997 respectively, and later as finance minister between 2009 to 2012 under the John Mills government will obviously make him the preferred and favorable choice for Ghanaian when they are seeking to elect the next president in 2024. This is because some political analyst and economic experts have posited that the 2024 electioneering campaign will hitched on the economy. For example, the longest sustained single digit inflation (for 32 months), Exchange rate stability between January 2009 (GHS1.20 =$1) to February, 2012 (GHS1.88 = $1), and the hedging Program (Petroleum Price Risk Program) aimed at stabilizing petroleum product prices and thus ensured that consumers paid a reasonable price for petrol at the pumps are but a few of his remarkable achievement and impressive track record. Dr. Duffour's previous track record in public service, business, or any other areas that are relevant to the presidency will also be a key factor in determining whether Ghanaians will vote for him or not. As former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Duffour has a strong understanding of the Ghanaian economy and how to promote economic growth. This could be an asset in a presidential candidate, as voters may prioritize economic stability and job creation going into the 2024 general elections. With his strong track record of success and integrity, he may be seen as a trustworthy candidate among the average Ghanaian voters.

With the current excruciating hardship Ghanaian are experiencing as a result of the constant depreciation of the cedi and the consistent economic downgrade with a borrowing appetite of the New Patriotic party(NPP) government, Ghanaians will be looking up to someone they can trust, someone with the practical experience and technical knowhow to salvage the country from the current economic quagmire and with the unblemished track record of Dr. Duffuour,I think that Ghanaians will not hesitate to vote for him should he get elected as flagbearer of the NDC.

Secondly, Dr. Kwabena Duffour's background as a business mogul could potentially help him in his ambition to become president of Ghana. Here are some reasons why, Dr. Duffour's experience as a successful businessman in the private sector could also give him a unique perspective on how to foster business growth and innovation as president of Ghana. This could help attract foreign investment, create job opportunities, and strengthen the overall economy. It is widely known that the former finance minister owns a number of businesses ranging from media, to insurance, to banking, real estate, transport among others and has employed hundreds and thousands of Ghanaians so his ability to create jobs will not be in doubt when he became president.

However, it is worth noting that being a successful business mogul does not necessarily translate to success in politics. Politics requires a different set of skills and priorities, such as effective communication, coalition-building, and managing public perception. Ultimately, it will depend on how Dr. Duffour presents himself as a candidate and how well he is able to connect with the Ghanaian people on issues beyond the economy. The personality and charisma of Dr. Duffour could also influence voters. If he is seen as approachable, likeable, and relatable, he may be able to gain more support from the Ghanaian people.

This is part one, part two will focus on reasons why Ghanaians may not vote for Dr. Kwabena Duffour as president.

By Azure Imoro Abdulai,
A political Communication Analyst and Researcher.

[email protected]