Ghana votes 2008: All roads lead to Tain

Hmmm, the current political situation in Ghana is very tricky at the moment. If you read this blog regularly you will know that we (the AWDF staff) held a 'blog off' on our last day at work. As moderator of this blog, I can tell you that I have never had so many postings submitted in one day. Politics is obviously a subject that arouses all our passions.

At the moment we in Ghana are in a 'wait and see' mode. The EC held a press conference about an hour ago and at the moment we still do not have a winner. The NDC has a tiny lead but that can change depending on the results of the Tain constituency. Apparently the Tain Consitituency were not able to vote on the 28th and so will be voting this coming Friday. I can just see all the political parties getting in their 4 x 4s and heading straight to Tain. There have also been allegations of 'irregularities' by both parties and the EC is asking both parties to provide evidence so they can investigate. I am wondering how long this process is going to drag on. I am tired already, I have been dreaming of the elections and feeling so stressed wondering what is going to happen. The sad thing is no party is going to be satisfied whatever the outcomes are. The country is clearly polarised between the two parties and for whoever emerges victorious close to 50% of the population will be unhappy. I have been totally 'against' the power sharing deals that have taken place on the African continent this year but have found myself wondering whether in this particular context there are genuine grounds for power sharing. What are your thoughts?

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD

The political atmosphere in the country is as charged as ever. Even non political people such as myself are taking a stand and in fact this is good for the political maturity of the nation. I am not a registered member of any political party and I do not see myself bearing a party card in the near future. But times dictates that my voice be heard. Times require that I no longer keep quiet and allow those who know nothing about my needs to make and impose a decision on me. Times demand that I make my own selfish needs plain. A desire to see that I live in a free and prosperous nation. A desire to see my children get the best of education here in this dear mother land called Ghana. A desire to see that my extended family who live in the villages of Suhum in those family cocoa farm lands get free and effective health care. A desire to see that maternal mortality is reduced and child survival rates are increased. A desire to see that money will not be a stumbling block for that financially challenged but brilliant young lady to attain higher education. A desire to see that I do not ever ever have to queue up to buy fuel to run my good old faithful jalopy. These are times to speak up and I encourage all freedom loving Ghanaians to speak up. I say VOTE FOR NANA AKUFFO ADDO, VOTE for the NPP. A vote for Nana Akuffo Addo means a vote for free secondary education; A vote for Nana Akuffo Addo means a vibrant economy; A vote for Nana Akuffo Addo means A better health system; A vote for Nana Akuffo Addo means freedom of Speech (Very very important); A vote for Nana Akuffo Addo means WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

Please GHANAIANS help us all MOVE FORWARD. Please remember to exercise your franchise on December 28, 2008. Vote Nana Akuffo Addo; Vote for real progress. WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD

Beatrice Boakye-Yiadom
Acting Grants Manager