As Ghana’s election season reaches its crescendo, the acquainted spectacle of politicians wooing voters with grand guarantees and attraction has begun.
In Ghana, this acquainted public present unfolds each 4 years when it’s time for accountability and elections.
Some politicians who disappear after securing the mandate to guide out of the blue reappear with grand manifestos and public engagements, vying for the hearts and votes of the citizens.
You would possibly assume it could be a troublesome promote, however these savvy leaders have just a few methods up their sleeves.
This text explores the general public show Ghanaian politicians use to woo voters in each political season.
With elections simply across the nook, politicians in Ghana are racing towards time to finish deserted tasks, leaving many questioning the sincerity of their efforts.
In a stunning flip of occasions, a number of high-profile tasks left to assemble mud for years are out of the blue being accomplished,
Roads, bridges, hospitals and colleges at the moment are popping up after years of building hiatus.
“It’s like magic,” mentioned Ama Owusu, a resident of Amasaman.
“At some point, the street is deserted, and the subsequent, it’s being paved. It’s clear they’re attempting to win our votes,” she added.
Nonetheless, some authorities officers argue that the infrastructural completions are the outcomes of cautious planning and prioritization.
To attach with voters and win their belief, politicians in Ghana are taking a singular strategy, to the extent of partaking in home chores for residents.
From pounding fufu to washing garments, politicians are rolling up their sleeves and getting their palms soiled.
The transfer is seen as an try to indicate that they’re in contact with the day by day struggles of peculiar Ghanaians.
Whereas some have praised the transfer as a real try to attach with voters, others have criticized it as a publicity stunt.
“It’s all about getting votes,” mentioned Kwame Boateng, a resident of Odododiodio.
“They’ll neglect about us as soon as the elections are over,” he added.
Within the video under, the New Patriotic Social gathering’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Mike Oquaye Junior, is seen serving to a constituent to do her laundry.
The most recent tactic is spending high quality time with the citizens of their neighbourhoods.
From sipping tea with pensioners to enjoying soccer with youth, politicians are shifting from door-to-door to win hearts and minds.
The transfer is an try to indicate that they perceive the wants and considerations of peculiar Ghanaians.
These methods aren’t new, because the then-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Social gathering (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, was seen many instances consuming collectively from the identical bowl forward of the 2016 elections.
He gained the polls and was retained in 2020 to proceed his mandate as President of Ghana.
Many Ghanaians don’t belief politicians and think about their strikes as pure deception.
Ama Mensah, the politicians “will neglect about us as soon as the elections are over”. 
.
Within the video under, the Vice President who doubles because the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Social gathering (NPP), was captured spending high quality time with a disabled citizens on one in every of his marketing campaign excursions.
Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, in a bid to attach along with her constituents on a extra private stage, rolled up her sleeves and took on the position of a washing bay attendant throughout one in every of her constituency marketing campaign engagements.
In a video that has since gained consideration, Phillis Naa Koryoo will be seen actively washing automobiles, interacting with staff, and interesting with the local people.
NDC Parliamentary candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, throughout her constituency marketing campaign engagement, took over at a washing bay and washed some automobiles. pic.twitter.com/k6LCWsmB87
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) September 4, 2024
As voters head to the polls, they’ll should resolve whether or not these actions are real makes an attempt to ship on guarantees or mere election-season stunts.
Amidst the fanfare, some questioned the sincerity of those election-season antics.
And so, the sample which repeats itself solely throughout election seasons, appears like a well-choreographed dance.
Have Ghanaian politicians perfected the artwork of profitable again belief just for a season?