By Emmanuel Oti Acheampong
The democratic atmosphere of the country will experience another hand of test this year on December 7, 2024 as the old guns of the game are readying to load their bullets while the new spears aim to hit targets.
In the build-up to 2024 general elections, the two largest political parties, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress will face tough competition from breakaways and newly formed forces that are bent on changing the narratives.
The NDC with former President, John Dramani Mahama posits that a ‘sankofa’ for him will give Ghana its working nature with a leading 24hour economy policy to improve the country’s economic woes.
The governing NPP led by the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia also believes a retainment will help transform the country through the building of a resilient and modern economy characterized by digitization.
A critical look at the Monarch Butterfly army, the Movement for Change led by the experienced founding member of the NPP, Alan Kyerematen seems to be climbing up the ladder in the minds of people who are ready to offload the NPP and the NDC.
With his long stay and experience in Politics, particularly serving in the portfolio that defines the growth of a country, Political Analysts tag him as a strong force to be reckoned with in the elections, especially with targets from the NPP’s numbers.
In a rather odd-defying development, the rise of Independent Candidates in the build up to this year’s election is one that deserves a critical study. The likes of Dr. Sam Ankrah and his Alternative Force for Action has gained prominence in the eyes and mind of the people with a promise of a fresh approach to governance and a move away from the old and traditional approach in tackling national issues.
With an experience stemming from the private sector and global economic management, he is gradually gaining the support of the youth who for some reason seem tired and ready to break the duopoly of NDC and NPP.
Adding to this, one cannot overlook the gains made by the Ghana Union Movement in the 2020 elections, where he came up in the third position. With his ideology of revisiting industrialization as it was in the NKrumah era, even though with a bit of religious background, he seems to have the minds of the youth and people who believe his policies will solve unemployment.
In a recent polls conducted by Global Info Analytics, the Likes of Dr.Sam Ankrah and his AFA, Alan Kyerematen and his Movement for Change climbed up to reckon with John Dramani Mahama and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who came first and second respectively.
As every opposition candidate even with the New Forces campaigning to give Ghana a new face after 30 years of the fourth republic, it is also important to note that the current government with its Flagbearer are also hardening their arsenals to beat off competition and break their eight.
The question still remains, is it a year to break away from the old for a new alternative force or continue with our tradition of rotation? A tradition that has been experienced in the last three decades.
