Ghana's 2008 Elections - Hope versus Fear.

The themes for the 2008 elections are becoming clearly defined as we get closer to the election. As we listen to the flag bearers of the various parties, especially the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) we hear two very distinct themes. The NPP is a party with strong democratic traditions, a fact that its opponents even attest to. The NPP represents, and it is presenting through its flag bearer, hope for a prosperous future. Hope for a sustained economic growth that will support property ownership. You hear the NPP flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo speaking about indigenous capitalism. You hear Nana predicting an end to the Guggisberg economy that the country has inherited since 1919. NPP represents the hope of affordable housing, affordable health insurance, the Capitation grant that makes it possible for children to afford basic education.

NPP represents the hope for Ghana that is free from fear and repression. Free speech anchored on transparent good governance. For the first time in the country's history, a sitting head of state has opened his home to the searching glare of inquisitive journalists. That is the hope and freedom the 2008 election is predicated upon.

The NDC flag bearer Prof. Ata Mills and his party on the other hand represent fear. What you hear from the former Asomdweehene is an apocalyptic prediction of doom and destruction if Ghanaians perchance exercise their wishes contrary to his. The fear of imaginary rigging of an election that has not been held. While Prof. Mills is disingenuously planting doubt in people's minds about bloated voters register in Ashanti constituencies, he has kept quiet about equally possible bloated registers in his NDC "World Bank".

The use of fear as a tool to rig elections is not new and it is not limited only to Ghana. However, in other places, politicians use fear in terms of protecting their people from external aggression. In the case of NDC, it uses fear to threaten the very existence of the people who are supposed to put it in power. The P/NDC was born out of AK47, therefore the use of atavistic vandalism and threats are part and parcel of its pedigree. As the campaigning is heating up, Prof. Mills is shedding his sheep clothing and we are going to see the true wolf that he is made up of which made him comfortable with Rawlings for that long. .