Fish or no fish, NDC will make a bumper harvest on Nov. 7

I have been thinking of what I call the romantic relationship between the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, and most constituencies along the coastal towns of Ghana.

Few weeks ago, Citi FM offered its microphones to the fisher folk to have their say on the challenges facing their industry, and subsequently affecting their livelihood.

The microphone moved from Jamestown in the Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, to Axim in the Evalue Ajomoro-Gwira Constituency of the Western Region, and then moved to the Volta Region and then finally at Winneba, in the Effutu Constituency of the Central Region. One thing that cut across in all the reports; the fisher folk were simply angry!

They thave threatened to vote out the NDC government but with a caveat. And that is if the government fails to improve their activities by curbing negative fishing practices and initiating policies to sustain their livelihood in the sea.

Coincidentally however, all the seats in the aforementioned constituencies are occupied by NDC Members of Parliament. After the 2012 elections for instance, out of the Thirty-three (33) constituencies along the coast, the NDC occupied 26 leaving the NPP with only 7.

One will thus wonder what kind of relationship exists between the NDC and constituencies along the coast. Amon Kotey, a Ga fisherman with 25 years’ experience, could not really explain this trend.

According to him, regardless of the challenges he faces in his work as a fisherman, he will still vote for the NDC because of the bond he had with the party through its Founder and former President, Jerry John Rawlings.

“NDC is in my blood. When J.J started NDC he will come here and participate in all we do here, unlike the NPP, although they were holding their meetings at the Akwei house they never identified with us”.

To Mr. Kotey, what former President Rawlings did years back is enough reason to vote for the NDC on any day despite what he also believes is the “lack of attention from the Mahama-led NDC government to the fishing industry?”

Amon Kotey is not alone, in the Volta Region, Miss Ruby Adokpo who openly expressed his disappointment in government over what she termed unfulfilled promises, said she doesn’t see herself voting for any party other than the NDC.

Well, as a native of the Volta Region, which is the NDC’s stronghold, her posture may not be surprising.

Also in the Central Region, where the party’s late leader and former President John Evans Atta Mills hails from, some fishermen say it’s either the NDC or none other.

Well, highlighting the plight of the fisher folk for government’s attention is indeed a good course. But it clearly looks like the threats from the fisher folk to kick out the NDC come November 7, may as well be empty.

The NDC in my view is still likely to maintain its seats in coastal Ghana or even add a few more. From the Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region to the Ketu South Constituency in the Volta Region, the NDC is likely to make a bumper harvest by way of votes. You can probably look for me so we bet on this.