Campaign messages are stale - Ofori-Atta

Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - Campaign messages by politicians are stale, focusing on personalities and parties instead of issues in spite of the steady growth of the nation's democratic development, the Every Accountable Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EAGLE) Party said on Wednesday.

Mr Danny Ofori-Atta, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Party, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the campaign messages lacked clarity and objectivity.

"It's all about personalities - Jerry Rawlings, Kufuor, Atta Mills or the National Democratic Congress, has done this or that, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has failed on its electoral promises," Mr Ofori-Atta said.

He said the EAGLE Party would set the pace for issue-based politicking to ensure that the electorate elected a president and parliamentarians based on informed choices and not on party interests. Mr Ofori-Atta said the issue of poverty reduction or alleviation must be paramount. "Parties must explain in clear terms how they intend to improve the standard of living of Ghanaians."

He said the electorate must demand from politicians the modalities for achieving and implementing their stated objectives in their manifestos.

"The days of applauding for oratory, comical display and other forms of campaign platform gymnastics are over. The Ghanaian electorate deserves issues-oriented debates."

He blamed the country's present economic difficulties on incompetence and mismanagement of resources by the Government and urged voters to scrutinise political statements and purported achievement records.

Mr Ofori-Atta also urged the media to lead the crusade for a peaceful campaign devoid of antagonism, insult, baseless accusation and counter-accusations.

He said Journalists should focus on constructive messages from the platform, avoid leading politicians to "boom" and be more positive minded.

Mr Ofori-Atta said the media would equally be held accountable for any violence, should they fail to be balanced, objective and avoid misinformation.