Run-off favours NPP in Upper East Region - Issahaku

Bolgatanga, Dec. 21, GNA - Mr Ahmed Tahiru Issahaku, Upper East Regional Chairman of New Patriotic Party (NPP), has observed that a win for NPP to rule Ghana for a third consecutive time was inevitable but not easy.

He said with the stern opposition from National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the first round of Election 2008 "I still tip NPP to win the run-off on December 28 2008 with ease." Speaking to Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, Mr Issahaku said it had never been easy for any political party in the world seeking a third term in office to have a walk-over in an election. "The more than 49 per cent vote for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is undoubtedly a good position for the Party to extend its gains to win the runoff," he added.

Mr Issahaku pointed out that the Party especially in the Region had revised its campaign strategies to involve supporters in the process at the community levels emphasising on the need to vote for the NPP to prove the promises made by Nana Akufo-Addo to make education from the basic to secondary level practically free. He said Nana Akufo-Addo was a visionary and a committed person who would deliver on his promise and urged the electorate in the Region to vote massively for him to move the country forward. However, there are mixed reactions by a cross-section of the public interviewed by Ghana News Agency on who could possibly win the run-off.

Some predicted a win for the NDC following the considerable impression it made in the first round of Election 2008, others were of the opinion that the margin especially in figures was so wide that it would seem impossible for the NDC to make up such difference during the run-off.

Ms Juliana Abilba, Marketing Officer of Ghana Telecom expressed satisfaction with the manner the elections were conducted and said following this success most people would consider the NPP because even though it was the incumbent government it ensured that the election was free, fair and transparent.

She said "With such huge achievement, there is no doubt at all that many voters would go for the NPP in this run-off" and that in spite of the hard economic conditions prevailing in the country, which she partly attributed to global trends, "well discerning people would appreciate the situation and vote for the NPP." Mr John Ametsitsi, Manager of Ghana Telecom 'Care for You' centre in Bolgatanga said considering performance of the NDC in the first round which many least expected, a continued trend with added votes from Ashanti Region could give the NDC an edge over NPP. He said even though there was the need for a change to allow other political parties to give Ghanaians what they had in store, the more than 49 per cent in the first round for the NPP seemed to be a booster. "Especially if the NPP manages to secure additional votes from Central, Eastern and Ashanti Regions, it could win the run-off." 21 Dec. 08