National Democrat: Western Region tilts towards NDC

The NDC’s dream of recapturing power in the December 7, 2008 elections has received a major boostin the Western Region. Intelligence reports from filed from the central belt of the region point to Prof. John Evans Atta Mills making serious incursions into the strongholds of the NPP. Places like Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Amenfi Central, Amenfi East, Prestea-Huni-Valley and Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituencies.

The communities included Amenfi Agona, Manso Amenfi, Bawdie, Nananko, Wassa Akropong, Opon Valley. Bogoso, Prestea, Awudua, Huni Valley, Tarkwa and Nsuaem. where the NPP enjoys some leverage went agog as the crowd milled to hear the NDC leader’s message.

New National Democrat intelligence sources at the BNI and National Security Secretariat (Blue Gate), have sighted reports which are said to be creating some panic among the NPP security advisers. Sideline straw polls normally conducted by the BNI based on the grievances and general economic conditions indicate that there is a swing in favour of the NDC.

Commenting on the reports, the sources further hinted of counter strategies being plotted by the regional security co-ordinator and his lieutenants on the ground. One major recommendation leaked to our intelligence is for the government to make changes to the security personnel in the mining enclaves. Their activities, the report noted has alienated most people from the NPP. They are said to brutalise the residents without cause while they extort money from innocent people who have brushes with the law.

Another issue seriously on the cards being discussed by the security and NPP party chiefs is how to compromise the opinion leaders in the central belt as to reverse the losses. But the intelligence on the ground has made it clear that the general high cost of living and land disputes have compelled the scores of NPP faithful to switch to the NDC. What has rubbed salt into the wound, they revealed is the calm and humble disposition of the NDC leader. Most of the youth in the area showered praises on him for focusing on job creation and how to make life better for them.

Touching on his better Ghana message, the intelligence said it is sinking very fast and attracting the unemployed youth. With most youth in the area concentrating on ‘galamsey’ operations to eke out a living being harassed on daily basis, the youth they revealed see Prof Atta Mills, as a man of practical experience and truth to deliver on his promises. Most of the chiefs in the Wassa area, the intelligence added are quietly rooting for him.

Meanwhile, New National Democrat intelligence has hinted of the NDC fever gripping the southern belt. Places like Axim, Half-Assini, Essiama and Shama are growing impatient to receive the NDC presidential candidate. In the Ellembele Constituency for example, quarterly reports normally prepared by the BNI on political activities for analysis by their bosses in Accra paints a very promising picture of the NDC winning this seat, come December 7, 2008.

In the Evalue-Gwira constituency, which is a mixture of large and small settlements and dotted islands, the battle is said to be a straight fight between the NDC and the CPP with the NDC tipped to tilt the scales in its favour because some of the opinion leaders claimed the CPP is not in poll position to win the general elections. Shama, the New National Democrat gathered is already shifted in favour of the NDC. The only snag, they pointed out is the strong presence of the National Reform Party. Emelia Arthur is said to command a huge following and if she contests on the ticket of the NDC or a kind of trade-off is arranged for the Reform Party to contest with NDC backing, the NPP will be dead in the water.

From the Jomoro constituency, the situation in favour of the NDC is even higher. The reports stated that there is a swing in support for the NDC. The also gave strong indications of the CPP giving the NDC a run for its money. It is NDC’s for the taking with the narrowest of margins though.

According to the intelligence, the NDC has made electoral gains in the foothold of the NPP in the Sekondi and Takoradi constituencies. Takoradi in particular could go to the NPP but with the margin of victory being considerably slim. Our sources said, there is hard security data to confirm the growing popularity of Atta Mills and the NDC in the southern belt as well and believe that the swing is a pointer to his journey of destiny to the Castle.