It is becoming a cliché in every election year for political parties to line up their programme of action to the electorates when given the mandate of leading the nation for the next four years. Of course manifestos have become an important element in the Ghanaian politics and the only party yet to launch its manifesto amongst the certified political parties for the 2012 election is the PNC.
With only 45 days left for Ghanaians to go to the polls on December 7, political parties are vigorously trumpeting different ideas, policies and priorities with some on a common ground to the electorates in order to receive the nod in steering the affairs of the state. These policies range from free education to job creation, infrastructure, housing, health etc. But irrespective of what is said it is up to the electorate to reflect on these promises and make informed choice at the polls.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), the People's National Convention (PNC), Convention People's Party (CPP) and the Progressive People's Party (PPP) have all outlined and elaborated proposals to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
The NPP Manifesto
The opposition New Patriotic Party's six chapters'manifesto touches on all sectors of the socio-political economy of Ghana. However, the highlight of the NPP manifesto dubbed ''Transforming lives, transforming Ghana" which has generated a lot heated debate and diverted the political discourse in the media to a large extent from personality attacks to issues based campaign is the promise to provide free Senior High Education to all school going kids. Another promise taking centre stage in the NPP manifesto is the promise to provide free health care to all citizens of 18years and below.
Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, the NPP flag bearer of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo said "We have no other choice; if we want different results; we have to do things differently. We face a big task, but with an enthusiastic, dynamic, and competent team I hope to achieve my goals,"
The NDC Manifesto
The ruling NDC on the other hand, has four thematic areas namely transparent and accountable government, strong economy for real job creation, investing in people and expanding infrastructure for growth as the hallmark of its manifesto. In response to the free SHS promised by their main contender the NPP, the NDC promises quality education for all and on health the party promises to ensure there is a regional hospital in each region across the country.
During the launch of the nine chapter manifesto dubbed advancing the better Ghana Agenda, The NDC candidate, Prez John Dramani Mahama says the party has "started a young entrepreneurs program by building a public university in the Eastern Region, the only region currently lacking one. The young entrepreneurs program will help us train people and create more sustainable jobs."
The CPP Manifesto
The Convention Peoples Party has its Manifesto Christened "Ghana Must Work Again".......... Yabre is based on three main foundations. Social transformation, sustainable economy and social Justice will be the policy guideline for the party if elected into government.
The Party's flag bearer Dr. Abu Sakara promises "to build a strong society in which no one will have any anxiety about the basic means of life, when elected into power, we would ensure a society where food and shelter prevailed, where poverty and illiteracy no longer exists and disease brought under control.
"Our programmes will stimulate our consciousness and endue us with a patriotic attitude in all that we do. Honesty and incorruptibility will be our hallmark as a State. We will build a strong, self-reliant, and determined society that offers fair distribution of opportunity to all. Our manifesto is a blueprint to make Ghana Work Again! Ghana Must Work Again. Yabr3" Samia Yaba Nkrumah MP and Chairperson of the CPP
The PPP Manifesto
The last on this list but not the least is the PPP's manifesto. Under the leadership of the party's leader and presidential candidate, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has a vision of a united Ghana where unemployment becomes a thing of the past and will focus on three (3) areas namely stewardship, Education and Healthcare. His slogan says "jobs, jobs, jobs" seeks to emphasize his ambition to create jobs for all and give credence to the name Edwuma Wura which has been associated with him on Ghana's political landscape.
Dr Nduom says he will "implement positive policies in the various sectors of the economy to provide employable jobs for graduates after completion of school and introduce the Education Police Concept to implement the compulsory continuous basic education from Kindergarten to Senior High School, SHS."
The People's National Convention even though are yet to launch their manifesto, one can not negate their 2008 manifesto tag "Real Change, Real Hope'
It is very obvious that each political party has its own unique brand and they try as much as possible to equally position it in the minds of the electorate in order to win their vote. Like they say "constant positioning creates an image" and the discerning Ghanaian voter is the winner.
Make no mistake about it...It is also obvious, that the political traditions in Ghana have recognised the importance of marketing and branding and that is good for our democracy what is left is need for the media, civil society organisations and citizens to benchmark these promises and hold the elected government to account and ensure these promises made during the campaign period is delivered.
With only 45 days left for Ghanaians to go to the polls on December 7, political parties are vigorously trumpeting different ideas, policies and priorities with some on a common ground to the electorates in order to receive the nod in steering the affairs of the state. These policies range from free education to job creation, infrastructure, housing, health etc. But irrespective of what is said it is up to the electorate to reflect on these promises and make informed choice at the polls.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), the People's National Convention (PNC), Convention People's Party (CPP) and the Progressive People's Party (PPP) have all outlined and elaborated proposals to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
The NPP Manifesto
The opposition New Patriotic Party's six chapters'manifesto touches on all sectors of the socio-political economy of Ghana. However, the highlight of the NPP manifesto dubbed ''Transforming lives, transforming Ghana" which has generated a lot heated debate and diverted the political discourse in the media to a large extent from personality attacks to issues based campaign is the promise to provide free Senior High Education to all school going kids. Another promise taking centre stage in the NPP manifesto is the promise to provide free health care to all citizens of 18years and below.
Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, the NPP flag bearer of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo said "We have no other choice; if we want different results; we have to do things differently. We face a big task, but with an enthusiastic, dynamic, and competent team I hope to achieve my goals,"
The NDC Manifesto
The ruling NDC on the other hand, has four thematic areas namely transparent and accountable government, strong economy for real job creation, investing in people and expanding infrastructure for growth as the hallmark of its manifesto. In response to the free SHS promised by their main contender the NPP, the NDC promises quality education for all and on health the party promises to ensure there is a regional hospital in each region across the country.
During the launch of the nine chapter manifesto dubbed advancing the better Ghana Agenda, The NDC candidate, Prez John Dramani Mahama says the party has "started a young entrepreneurs program by building a public university in the Eastern Region, the only region currently lacking one. The young entrepreneurs program will help us train people and create more sustainable jobs."
The CPP Manifesto
The Convention Peoples Party has its Manifesto Christened "Ghana Must Work Again".......... Yabre is based on three main foundations. Social transformation, sustainable economy and social Justice will be the policy guideline for the party if elected into government.
The Party's flag bearer Dr. Abu Sakara promises "to build a strong society in which no one will have any anxiety about the basic means of life, when elected into power, we would ensure a society where food and shelter prevailed, where poverty and illiteracy no longer exists and disease brought under control.
"Our programmes will stimulate our consciousness and endue us with a patriotic attitude in all that we do. Honesty and incorruptibility will be our hallmark as a State. We will build a strong, self-reliant, and determined society that offers fair distribution of opportunity to all. Our manifesto is a blueprint to make Ghana Work Again! Ghana Must Work Again. Yabr3" Samia Yaba Nkrumah MP and Chairperson of the CPP
The PPP Manifesto
The last on this list but not the least is the PPP's manifesto. Under the leadership of the party's leader and presidential candidate, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has a vision of a united Ghana where unemployment becomes a thing of the past and will focus on three (3) areas namely stewardship, Education and Healthcare. His slogan says "jobs, jobs, jobs" seeks to emphasize his ambition to create jobs for all and give credence to the name Edwuma Wura which has been associated with him on Ghana's political landscape.
Dr Nduom says he will "implement positive policies in the various sectors of the economy to provide employable jobs for graduates after completion of school and introduce the Education Police Concept to implement the compulsory continuous basic education from Kindergarten to Senior High School, SHS."
The People's National Convention even though are yet to launch their manifesto, one can not negate their 2008 manifesto tag "Real Change, Real Hope'
It is very obvious that each political party has its own unique brand and they try as much as possible to equally position it in the minds of the electorate in order to win their vote. Like they say "constant positioning creates an image" and the discerning Ghanaian voter is the winner.
Make no mistake about it...It is also obvious, that the political traditions in Ghana have recognised the importance of marketing and branding and that is good for our democracy what is left is need for the media, civil society organisations and citizens to benchmark these promises and hold the elected government to account and ensure these promises made during the campaign period is delivered.
