86 Days To Go: Weird political promises your favourite politicians have made

Every political party or politician aims to be elected to govern the country. In their efforts to persuade voters, politicians often make exaggerated or unrealistic promises to sway public opinions and secure their votes.

While unrealistic promises may sometimes persuade voters and help politicians gain power, there are instances when these promises have been identified for what they truly are.

This election period is no exception. From promising to make history by dredging a sea to Kumasi to promising to send the youth to the 2026 World Cup, of which countries have yet to qualify to, these promises are nothing short of unprecedented and reveal the desperations of politicians seeking power.

Here’s a look at some of these promises from political aspirants;

1. Sea to Kumasi:

Independent presidential candidate, Nana Kwame Bediako, promised to dredge a sea to Kumasi as a way of boosting economic activities in the country.

Explaining how he is going to fulfill his ambitious goals, Bediako, also known as Freedom Jacob Ceasar or Cheddar, stated that he intends to leverage the Pra and Oti Rivers for transportation by connecting them to the seas through dredging.

"When I was checking the map of this country, I saw the rivers Pra and Oti. When you're coming from Kumasi to Cape Coast, the big river is just there. It's not connected.

"When I started this tour, I went to Techiman, then to Tamale, then to Bolga, then to Bogoso, then to Techiman. So every time I went to the room, I quickly studied the map of that region. Then I found out that there's a river Tano in Techiman, and it goes all the way to the end of Takoradi, sharing the border with the Ivorian coast. Next to it is the sea," he explained.

He continued to say, "So, what we have to do is just dredge our land, let the sea merge with the water bodies, the river, and the lagoon, and start to use it as a transportation. It's been there, but we haven't thought of it.

“You can look at the Manchester canal, all of you can google how they dredged the sea to merge with the river for it to become that.”

2. Send youth to 2026 World Cup:

Pius Enam Hadzide, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, promised his constituents that if they vote for him, he will send them to the 2026 World Cup tournament scheduled to be held in the United States of America.

“Nananom, did you know that it takes 18 hours to travel from Ghana to Australia? Yet, I was able to assist some individuals in making this journey. The 2026 World Cup will be held in America, which is just a 7-hour flight from Ghana.

“If you, Nananom, desire for your children to travel to America to work and send money back home, or if you are a young person eager to explore opportunities abroad, I promise to support you when I become MP," he said.

He further said that “Unlike my opponent, who has had the chance but failed to assist the youth, I will facilitate travel opportunities for all interested young people to destinations like Germany, America, UK, France, and Canada.

“So, I kindly ask for your support in the upcoming election, and I will ensure that I help you achieve your dreams of travelling abroad."

What makes this a weird promise is that there is no assurance, not even from the US Ambassador to Ghana, that anybody will surely get a visa to go to the World Cup.

Besides, if it is anything to go by, the countries that will be participating in the Mundial are yet to be selected.

3. Free exeat for SHS students:

Once again, Pius Enam Hadzide, was captured in a video promising to secure and facilitate exeats for some students of the Akwamuman Senior High School for free.

According to him, he has connections at the school, so securing an exeat will not be an issue.

“This is your house as much as it is mine. When you have the time, and you have an exeat or you have the opportunity to go out (sic). Your headmaster is my friend and I have lots of good friends in your school so exeat should not be an issue. So, if you want it, just let me know,” he said amid cheers from the students.

4. Buy phones on credit and pay GH¢ 1 and 2 every month:

During one of his campaign events, NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia promised to make smartphones more affordable and accessible to Ghanaians by partnering with phone manufacturers to offer phones on credit, allowing people to pay GH¢1 or GH¢2 monthly.

“We will make mobile phones accessible; my government will partner with phone manufacturers so that Ghanaians can afford them on credit and pay 1 or 2 cedis every month.

“Access to smartphones is no longer a luxury but a necessity. It opens up opportunities for education, business, and staying connected with loved ones. By making smartphones affordable, we are not only enhancing connectivity but also fostering an environment where every Ghanaian can thrive in the digital age,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia later clarified that this initiative would be implemented through a credit scoring system that his government plans to introduce.

The big question is which phone manufacturer will agree to such an agreement and a payment plan?

5. Pay GH¢500 allowance to under 18 and GH¢700 allowance to unemployed youth:

Kofi Akpaloo, the leader and presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), has promised to provide monthly financial support to Ghanaians if elected president.

Akpaloo stated that under his administration, every Ghanaian below the age of 18 will receive GH¢500 monthly, while unemployed citizens above 18 years will be entitled to GH¢700 monthly.

“Ghanaians below 18 years will receive GH¢500 every month and then those who are above 18 years and are not working will also receive GH¢700 every month,” he stated.

MAG/AE