Mills, Kufuor sure of victory

The two presidential candidates in the ongoing presidential run-off are sure of winning the election.



The two expressed the optimism when they cast their ballot at their respective polling stations in Accra. The candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor cast his vote at a polling station very close to his house at the Airport Residential Area in Accra whilst Vice-President John Atta Mills cast his at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he taught law for years.

Dressed in all white, Mr. Kufuor told journalist when asked what he would do if he does not win the election that "I said I am winning and that is for certain". He refused to speculate on losing the election.



He condemned the reported cases of violence in the country saying "this has been the road to a lot of destabilization that is taking place in Africa, we don't want Ghana to follow in this trend". The NPP Flag-bearer accordingly called on the government to put a stop to the violence.

On the very first things he would be doing if he becomes President, Mr. Kufuor popular regarded to as the gentle giant said, "I will secure Ghana and put an end to disorderly behavior". He also spoke about forming his government very quickly and working to solve the economic problems of the nation.

When he took his turn at the campus of the University of Ghana, the Vice-President and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC), John Evan Atta Mills said he would accept the results of the elections even if he does not win provided it were conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere. "One must be loser, one must be a winner and if you engaged in a contest, you must be prepared to accept the results so long as the rules are complied with and I will accept the results".

On the reported cases of violence, the law Professor who was his sober self appealed to all Ghanaians to ensure that the process is peaceful. "Ghana is more important than either of us and we must all ensure that the elections are peacefully conducted. We should avoid all such cases of provocation, harassment and intimidation".

Professor Mills reiterated that he would put together a team which would be "broad-based and would reflect the various competencies that we have in this country", if he becomes President.

He noted that the issue of the killing of women in and around Accra remains a prime concern of government and efforts would be intensified to put a stop to it after the elections are over. "I believe that we would need to intensify our efforts, immediately the new government comes into power, even before the new government comes into power. Once the elections are over, I believe that we would be able to concentrate our attention more fully on resolution of these problems". He dismissed criticisms that the government has not done enough about the killings, saying, "I don't think it is fair. With serial killings, you do have problems, because of the pre-meditation". Professor Mills said the strategy of the party has changed since the first round adding he believes that people are seeing the change. He noted that they have been more purposeful in putting forward their plans.

The Electoral Commission is expected to announce one of the two Johns the winner and the president-elect in the next 72 hours. Both candidates are described as gentlemen who would bring a lot of reform in the country. The NPP candidate is preaching "Positive change" whilst the NDC candidate if preaching, "Continuity in Change".