NDC launches campaign with "one-touch" victory prediction

By Edmund Mingle

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday, officially launched its political campaign in a bid to retain power in the December 2016 general election, as the party predicts a one touch victory.

Launched amidst the gathering of thousands of members of the party who converged at the Cape Coast Stadium in the Central Region, paves the way for the party to roll outs its activities towards for the election.

Amidst an electrified atmosphere, President John Dramani Mahama expressed confidence of leading the party to another victory.

The campaign launch is the first political activity to be undertaken in the magnificent Cape Coast stadium which was built and commissioned in May this year by the government in fulfilment of a campaign promise.

Prior to the start of the campaign the President undertook an nationwide “Accounting to the People” tour in which many completed projects in various sectors of the economy, where inaugurated.

The campaign launch, which had the theme, “Changing lives, transforming Ghana,” comes ahead of the launch of the party’s 2016 manifesto that is expected to take place in about three weeks.

President Mahama, then Vice President, took office in July 2012 after President John Mills passed on six months to the elections. He went on to win the 2012 elections, and hopes to win a second term after what the party describes as a successful first term. 

President Mahama, addressing the multitude of supporters, believed the sterling performance of the government, evidenced in the many significant projects, provision of jobs and welfare improvement initiatives created by his administration, in spite of the difficult challenges, would convince Ghanaians to retain the government.

President Mahama, who four days ago wore military uniform to a commissioning and interaction event at Burma Camp, which was said to depict his combat readiness, expressed confidence of a second presidential victory.

Giving an account of his administration’s performance he said significant development results has been achieved in spite of the socio-economic challenges including the six month election petition, industrial strikes, market fires, adverse international market factors and energy crisis that faced the government.

He said the progress made was a result of the bold decisions taken by the government, and promised that the government would continue in that path in the next four year.

“Our programme with the IMF ends next year, and we will come out with a more robust economy,” he said.

He gave a long list of achievements of the government in the various areas of the economy, saying the interventions of the government continue to yield dividends, and particularly mentioned job creation initiatives, infrastructure development, free education and industry development programmes.

He admitted that a lot remain to be done in the area of infrastructure, but said “we must not cut our nose to spite our face. We must acknowledge the progress.”

He was optimistic that by the time he completed his second term, Ghana would be one of the countries with the best road network in Africa.

He said those who accused the government of not enriching Ghanaians were wrong because investing in infrastructure and other social amenities, were investments that would enhance both local and national economy for the benefit of the citizens.

President Mahama deplored the frequent attacks on the Electoral Commission by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing the practice as a strategy of an intolerant loser who tries to discredit the referee. 

He urged the members of the party to be focused and campaign on the track record of the government to secure the votes of the electorate.

“We must not be complacent. It will be a difficult battle, but we have what it takes to win,” he said.

He promised to lead the victory, saying “I will not fail the NDC.”

Thunderous chants and cheers of “JM Toaso” meaning “JM continue” filled the stadium as the President addressed the crowd.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of NDC, in what happened to be one of his shortest speeches, was optimistic the NDC would win the elections, but not on a silver platter.

He acknowledged that NDC faces a “challenge and demanding task,” especially when the NPP, the main opposition party, cannot be “under estimated.”

According to him, the NDC needs to avoid provocation by the NPP.

“It is important that we fight them on our terms, not their terms

“Our virtues and principles of accountability, probity, transparency, accountability and development should be our terms which the NPP cannot stand.

“We know who they are and where they came from. We don’t have to mimic them. We will run into problems if we do that,” he advised.

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, in his address, described the change promised by the opposition NPP has “Kaakaamotobi change” that would scare Ghanaians and retrogress the development of the country.

According to him, transformational change was already taking place under the Mahama administration, and therefore there was no need for the NPP to campaign for change.

“A change that will pose as threat to the country should not be accepted by Ghanaians.

Kofi Portuphy, Chairman of the NDC described President Mahama as an “unbeatable candidate” who has led the country to achieve significant progress in the last four years.

Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament said the 2016 election is there for our taking by the NDC, adding that the other parties “cannot stand the might of our great NDC party.”

He said his conviction was based on a number of reasons including the strong unity of the party, solid performance record, and the party’s credible and realistic manifesto message.

“We government had performed creditably well and we only have to guard against complacency,” he said.

Kofi Adam, NDC Campaign Coordinator, described the NDC as a “solid united family” as a result of the good management and leadership qualities of the President which has transcended into the transformational management of the country being offered the nation.

He urged Ghanaians to support the ruling government to continue leading the country to achieve progress since voting for the opposition New Patriotic Party would amount to be “unproductive.”

Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, Central Regional Minister, in his welcome address, lauded the choice of the region of the campaign launched describing the event as a homecoming since the NDC was launched in the region in 1992.

Leading members of the party, representing the various regions, took turns to address the gathering in which they touted the development projects and initiatives that continue to improve the economies of the respective regions.

They are urged Ghanaians to retain the party and avoid being deceived opponents of the NDC.

In addition, key Ministers of State also gave account of the progress of the various sectors particularly energy, education, finance, health, agriculture, works and housing.