Folks, I have been looking around for factors that will persuade the electorate to retain Akufo-Addo in power at the December 7, 2020 polls but haven’t found any thus far.
Electoral victory or defeat is deeply rooted in and largely influenced by numerous factors, especially when it comes to determining the fate of the incumbent.
Fundamentally, the incumbent must have laid a solid foundation in the first term and instilled confidence in the citizens that it will develop that foundation when its mandate is renewed.
What is the foundation laid by Akufo-Addo? I don’t see it. The economy is in tatters! What, then?
The outcome of genuine elections is influenced by the efficacy of the electoral process and voter attitude toward the political forces seeking the mandate.
That is why victory or defeat hangs on factors that go beyond pipe dreams and dirty politics.
Whether it is the manifesto or quantum of promises made, voter decision will largely be influenced by the objective reality of the Ghanaian condition, particularly regarding Election 2020.
The stakes are high, which explains why any attempt to manipulate the electoral process will set the time-bomb to blow Ghana off balance. No elaboration!
The stage has already been set to make us know that the challenges facing Akufo-Addo and the NPP at Election 2020 are more arduous and enormous than those at Election 2016.
The strategies that helped Team Akufo-Addo won’t work again this time. Any fixation on damning Mahama as incompetent or his government as corrupt won’t stick.
Ghanaians have the need for more to explain why they should retain Akufo-Addo, viewed against the background of the NPP’s barrage of promises and reality. The picture is ugly.
Ghanaians now have the chance to juxtapose Mahama’s accomplishments and failures with those of Akufo-Addo at many levels.
Has the economy improved? Has Akufo-Addo added anything to the infrastructure base? Has Akufo-Addo fulfilled his promises?
Has Akufo-Addo eradicated corruption from Ghana? Had Akufo-Addo had “corrupt” Mahama appointees tried and punished?
Has Akufo-Addo improved the job situation? Has he created jobs? Has he secured the country?
Has Akufo-Addo enhanced the state institutions for them to function efficiently?
What positive change has Akufo-Addo brought to Ghana to improve living standards?
What has Akufo-Addo done with the over 235 billion Ghana Cedis (the equivalent of money borrowed so far)?
What will be the fate of Ghana in the hands of Akufo-Addo for the next 4 years, given the sordid performance of his government?
Does Ghana have any bright future under Akufo-Addo?
Folks, it is clear that whether by design or accident, Akufo-Addo has angered several constituencies of voters that contributed largely to put him in power but that are so embittered, disaffected, and unconsolable as to enter the polling booth to vote him down.
Only those in the NPP with wooly eyes and clogged ears won’t see the picture or hear the discordant rhythm.
In effect, the challenges facing Akufo-Addo are more difficult than those to be tackled by his political opponents, especially the NDC.
Unless the coronavirus pandemic scuttles Election 2020, I see a dark future for Akufo-Addo.
No attempt at manipulating the electoral process will do the magic for him. No injection of logistics for massive electioneering stunts will do so either.
Ghanaians have already made up their minds to rid the country of this albatross called Akufo-Addo.
By Dr Michael Jarvis Bokor
