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| People walk past a dummy elephant decorated with banners of the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), during the final rally held by their presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, in Accra on December 5, 2008. Akufo-Addo round off his campaign with a rally at the Accra Academy playground. Ghana, the first African nation to free itself of colonial rule, will look to enhance its reputation as a beacon for democracy at elections on December 7, for a leader who will soon be tapping into new oil wealth. Some 12.8 million Ghanaians will have the chance to choose who will be governing their country, a former British colony formerly known as the Gold Coast before independence in 1957. | ||
As Ghana's presidential candidates made their last-day preparations on Saturday for the final showdown, economy and social welfare remained the focus of their campaign.
As the quality of life has improved in the West African nation, so have the expectations of the relatively young population of 22 million. To cater for their desire for better life, policies on boosting economy, improving education and medical care have been the main battle fields of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Evans Atta Mills of the main opposition party National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Of the eight registered candidates, Nana and Mills are the only two who have chances to win the race. However, conflicting results from opinion polls carried out by different agencies have led analysts to expect a tightly contested race.
According to a survey conducted by Ghana's National Commission for Civic Education in April, the NDC led with 42.9 percent of votes while the NPP trailed behind with 42.6 percent. However, recent polls by independent research body BNI gave the NPP a wide margin in lead, but the NDC has refuted that result and called it rubbish.
"We support Nana because the NPP is good at developing economy, and candidate Nana will give us free medical care and better education for the youths," Eric Mengah, a wood dealer, said while attending the NPP's rally on Friday.
However, supporters for the rival camp just would not agree. Deric Kurour, a supporter for the NDC candidate, said the ruling party had more resources for publicizing its candidate, but what they have promised would not come true unless there is a change in the economic policies.
"Mills will bring us change, the change that will bring good for all Ghana people," shouted the supporter who wore a T-shirt with Mills' image on it.
Well governance and sound economic policies have allowed this West African country to enjoy rapid development in recent years. Rich resources such as gold and cocoa have earned big dollars for Ghanians.
As Nana and Mills wrestle over economic policies and welfare promises, many people are worrying about social stability after the vote.
Ghana's previous democratic elections have been peaceful, but with another African democracy Kenya falling into violence after the elections in January, people have started to worry about the stability after announcement of the results.
Amid boosted security, Ghanians took a holiday on Saturday and will go out on Sunday to choose a new president who is expected to give them a better life. Electoral Commission sources said the results could possibly come out next Wednesday.
