Party Manifestos And Whether They Influence Voting Pattern

FIXATION OF GHANAIAN FOR POLITICAL PARTY MANIFESTO

The die is cast and the biggest opposition party, the NDC has launched its manifesto for the 2020 general election. This comes at the back of a similar event by the ruling party, NPP.  The launch therefore gives the electorate the opportunity to assess the political party with the right message and policies to take the country out of the quagmire it finds itself. Analysts have tried on numerous occasions to explain the recent craze of the Ghanaian to look at political party manifestos because this was not the case from time immemorial. A manifesto it must be explained is a published declaration of the intentions, motives or plans of the publisher. It plays a crucial role in the vision of party democracy and political science analysis of party competition.

Interest in the manifestos of political party has generated to fever pitch this year because most political parties had hitherto taken the electorate for granted and not fulfilled most promises they give in their manifestos. Some of the parties give fanciful promises they know they can hardly fulfil yet for political expediency and the need to lure the unsuspecting public to vote for them, they tend to come out with them. Whatever it is Ghanaians will be witnessing several political parties spelling its vision for the country’s development.

Several insights have been given by the NDC as to what to expect in its manifesto for 2020. Information filtering through the party’s manifesto launch to both the traditional media and social media indicate that the party when given the mandate by the Ghanaian voter to return to power will be introducing a policy dubbed the ‘the Big Push’ for infrastructural development especially in the newly created Regions. It will also be reorganizing the Free SHS concept more especially the double track system by completing all the 200 SHS building it started, to accommodate all qualified students. The flagbearer of the party, John Dramani Mahama, has on numerous occasions given his word that he will not scrap the policy as is being bandied about. According to him, part of his envisaged 10-billion-cedi infrastructural development plan dubbed ‘the Big Push’ will be directed to this cause. The party will also be establishing a disabled fund which will be managed by Physically challenged people themselves.

The Ghanaian voter is hardly influenced by manifestos in the voting pattern and choice. There are many reasons why a voter might cast a ballot for a particular candidate or political party and these include his or her commitment and loyalty to the party or candidate in question, the performance track record, the party’s accountability and transparency regime and its marketing strategy. Whatever, it is pertinent that we clearly assess the various political parties and their policies and determine how visible and implementable they are, their ability to protect the people ad ensure national security and cohesion without bias. The NDC manifesto launch has come at an opportune time, a period Ghanaians are enthusiastic about their future. It is evident they will be particular as to which political party they vote for, this time round. The election promises to be keen. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

By Justice Mingle, A Journalist.