, Akuffo Addo’s smoothness is key. Samia is kingmaker

The presidential elections going into round two appears to be a repeat of the 2000 elections yet it is tricky as the main opposition party now may not necessarily win the second round; win the majority of seats it had, the sound argument maybe.

The 2000 elections was more a referendum on President Rawlings and the NDC. The message then was, “please get out but we do not fully trust the NPP and candidate Kufuor.” The other parties sealed the deal for the NPP especially when the Reform Party decided to join hands with the NPP thus helping send the message to those who had supported the NDC in previous elections that it was alright to shift allegiance to the NPP.

When Ghana spoke, on 7th December, it appeared the people turned the table repeating same to President Kufuor and the NPP but regarding the NDC with suspicion. Over to you Nana and Prof. While the former is a smooth operator, eloquent and a seasoned politician with a legacy of a name, the latter has proven himself to be his own man in tenacity.

The country is now divided on political party lines of established democracies such as the US and Britain, leftist and rightist with the accompanied characteristics. Nana Akuffo leads a strongly unified party of the UP/ PP party, a Danquah Busia party, the rightist. The base is solid and this is his main advantage. What is needed now is his communication abilities to project himself as a moderate candidate. President Kufuor appears a bad news for him but his choice of running mate also seems a mistake now. Alhaji Bawumia does not appear to have a strong constituency at this time unlike the other running mate who appeals to the youth. All Nana needs now is that 1 percent vote assuming he retains his 49 percent plus win.

Time for Nana to play, using his famous negotiating skills and the obvious targets, Samia Nkrumah and Dr. Ndoum. Samiah has not joined his brother Sekou into the NDC camp while Dr. Ndoum worked with the NPP. The way she destroyed NDC’s Lee Ocran in Jomoro, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter appears to have more clout than her presidential candidate and she is now the lone CPP voice. Appearing on the same stage with Nana and Paa Kwesi could seal the deal for the NPP. Go Nana

Professor Attah Mills? This is his crowning moment and he is the key to unifying the second main political grouping in Ghana, the social democrats or left wing. He is an Nkrumahist standing on the ticket of a Rawlings party, which in reality was an Nkrumahist based party with a sprinkle of UP / PP personalities. The NDC actually decimated the CPP using the NCP led by Kwaku Boateng

If Professor Attah Mills and the NDC had been in talks with the other parties then these talks must have been secretive. Maybe that is their weapon but should Professor pull off a Rawlings Nkrumah unity and beat Nana to Samiah, he is on the way to making history. His running mate John Mahama is already an asset. This is the man who as then government spokesman appeared on radio after a frowned upon presidential display and convinced people to excuse their president’s behavior. He has a solid support especially among the youth and if the NDC sees every vote as important, he would be the link to the prodigal Reformers and Obed’s people.

Choose wisely Samia Nkrumah, but do make a choice. We live in interesting times, a half African about to become the most powerful person in the world, the Black Star of Africa shining bright as an example, Ghanaians voting skirt and blouse; proud to be Ghanaian? You bet, prouder.