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Politics of Wednesday, 25 June 2008

Source: Network Herald

40% For NDC In Kumasi

– Suame to become industrial hub under Mills

Not even a presidential visit to cut sod for a road project in Kumasi in the Ashanti Regional capital could divert the resolve of residents and sympathizers of the opposition NDC when the party’s winning team of Prof. John Mills and John Mahama paid them a visit last Friday. So overwhelming was the reception that most were convinced the NDC could sweep as much as between 35 and 40 percent of total votes to be cast by the electorate in the city during the December elections. An elated 1st vice chairman of the party in the Ashanti Region Alhaji Mohammed Sanni who said he was apprehensive and he might not be able to deliver in numbers said he was convinced that for the first time, the people of Asanteman had assured that they were ready to listen and to judge accordingly. Alhaji Sanni said the only probable reason for the turn around could be the continued realization of the people that the NPP administration was one that neither believes in equity nor the marginalized.

“Drivers for instance have concluded that while they continue to lose out in employment and sales in the face of unaffordable fuel prices and its attendant hardships,” Alhaji Sanni said.

While other NDC sympathizers naturally convinced themselves that with the unusual reception that the party had received it could add a seat or two to its total three in parliament, NPP diehards who went through pains to describe the reception as façade however expressed fears that general dissent and disaffection for the ruling government in the city could engender a ‘skirt and blouse’ scenario where voters would split their allegiance and affect the total standing of the NPP.

The drama was first enacted at the Suame Magazine the largest auto mechanic industrial centre in Ghana where workers from master to apprentices deserted their shops to troop behind the NPP team of Prof. J. E.A. Mills and J. D. Mahama who visited the centre to interact with them. Others on the team were National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei, General-Secretary Asiedu Nketia and his deputy Baba Jamal as well as National Organizer Sam. Ofosu Ampofo.

The artisans who said they had earlier been misinformed by their chairman who claimed he had stopped the visit there by the NDC team assured the team of their loyalty and commitment at ensuring free and fair elections in December. Most important, they assured the team of their resolve to ensure a change citing unexplained hard times.