Election Arena ep 2: Why Nana Addo and the NPP could lose the election again

Written by Edward Oppong Marfo

A loss for the NPP could spell doom for the party in subsequent years. A loss for the party could mean that Nana Addo will not be the Flagbearer for the party again.  He has become very powerful within the party to the extent that deep throat sources within the party indicate that others who are perceived to be anti Akufo- Addo, almost all lost their primaries.

If Akufo- Addo loses;
Who will they build the party around?
Will Paul Afoko, Kwabena Agyapong and Sammy Crabbe be called back?
Who could be the next flagbearer- Allan Kyeremateng,  Dr. Bawumia or? ??

The NPP could remain in opposition if they do not play their politics just like how Ghanaians perceive Ghana politics to be. 

One thing that some people say the NDC does better than the NPP is the ability to draw New groups to their party. 

The NDC has a style of attracting floating voters as they try to convince new people or non supporters than the NPP. President Mahama has a special way of engaging people during rallies or whenever he mounts the stage. Supporters of NPP are normally very passionate about the party-  they have a strong attachment to the party. When Nana Addo was scheduled to have a rally at Ayeduase in Kumasi (close to KNUST) at 4pm,  some party supporters went to the grounds as early as 2pm to wait but the Flagbearer mounted the stage after 6pm and went straight to address the audience and finished his statement and left stage in less than 10 minutes. Some people interviewed after the programme claimed they expected a more interactive or active session with the NPP Flagbearer than What they saw. If such a practice is replicated in all areas, there would be a lower possibility of attracting floating voters. However, his major opponent, President Mahama danced on stage and took some selfies with the audience when he had a similar programme at KNUST, great hall.

There may be a genuine call for change by a cross section of Ghanaians (perhaps the majority) but the NPP cannot win if they do not play the "politics of involvement". Npp should have a way of convincing Ghanaians on why their leader fits to be president and their members of parliament are to be voted for. In the US election,  some electorates stated emphatically clear that they do not like Donald Trump but Hillary Clinton however  did not give them enough reasons as to why she deserves their votes.

Its is quite obvious that just like in 2012, NPP could win in the Ashanti region and the Eastern region but if they do not win in  either Brong Ahafo (and) or Central Region or close up the gap or win in the greater Accra region and the Western Region, then they may still remain in opposition. 

NPP would also need to amass enough votes in the other strongholds of the NDC as well. 

Again, the NDC is not leaving anything to chance as they are trying to use any "small" opportunity to convince  Ghanaians for another term.  Aside the possible repressive mechanism of the state which goes in favour of the incumbent president,  the NDC is taking advantage of all possible avenues to promote their agenda.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo's IEA encounter was postponed many times.  No one should downplay the significance the debate could have on electorates. Aside that,  the NPP could have taken advantage of the GTV presidential encounter,  NCCE/GTV presidential debate and all the opportunities available. The NPP may have good reasons for boycotting these forums but  no matter the reason,  this could have attracted new people or could have encouraged others who have decided not to vote on election day to make an effort in voting for NPP.

There is a greater likelihood that Nana Addo will not be contesting again if he loses and as such must “do everything possible to win the election”. However, if his main contender, John Mahama loses, NDC will continue to make him the party’s flagbearer until he eventual becomes the president again (even if it will take 12 to 16 years). NPP’s Nana Addo has no choice than to work hard to convince Ghanaians to vote for him to climb to the highest seat in Ghana.