The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rubbished a report published by the Economic Intelligence Unit that suggests that President John Evans Atta Mills will win the December presidential elections by a slim margin.
In its country report released on Ghana in January this year, the UK-based specialist publishing company stated that the favourable economic picture of high growth and relatively low inflation was certain to inure to the advantage and benefit of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to the unit, the losing side in the election will, however, be less inclined in accepting the results than in previous close-run elections. It also stated that the power of incumbency will, however, give some advantage to the NDC, especially in terms of spending the early oil windfall.
Election analysts have predicted that any defeat handed to NPP flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the December presidential elections will virtually end his political career. However, reacting to the report, NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, said the authors of the report have lost touch with happenings in the country.
“I believe that those who made that report are not on earth, they do not live in this country and therefore do not understand the politics in this country,” Sir John said. The outspoken NPP scribe added that “we are in this country and we feel the economic hardships, so we do not need any outside body to come and tell us how this country is faring let alone who will win this election.
” He added: “Change is what you feel in your pocket and Ghanaians are not feeling any change in their pockets so for anybody to say that inflation is down so the chances are better for the NDC, I say that person has lost touch with realities in this country.
Meanwhile, the propaganda secretary of the NDC, Richard Quashigah, has told Citi News he is confident that the ruling party will win this year’s election, adding that the party is not banking its hopes on polls by an organization. He however expressed amazement at the reaction by the NPP saying the quick manner in which the report has been discredited stems from the fact that it did not go in their favour even though they have previously relied on it. ]]>
