Mr. Mahama claims that the party’s ranking of eighth is significant and presents a chance for them to take on the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the next elections, which are scheduled for December 7.
As part of his Greater Accra trip, he made a campaign appearance in the Ablekuma North Constituency. Pointing out the absurdity of the NPP’s slogan to “break the 8,” he asserted that the NDC currently holds the number 8.
“By God’s grace, we picked number 8. So some people say they are going to break the 8. The eight is with me, let them come and break the eight and let me see,” he said.
Mr. Mahama also brought up the NPP’s 2016 campaign promises, particularly their vow to cut petrol prices, and he chastised them for not keeping their word.
“We remember how in 2016, drivers—taxi drivers, trotro drivers—formed an association called ‘Drivers for Change.’ They demonstrated, parking their cars in the middle of the roads. When asked about their problem, they said, ‘Mahama, fuel prices are too high,’ and our brothers in the NPP told them that when they came into power, they would reduce fuel prices.
“Today, fuel price is 70 cedis per gallon, compared to 14 cedis when they were making those promises. Where is the relief they promised,” Mahama asked.
The NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has also expressed happiness that the party placed eighth in the poll.
After what they called eight years of incompetence and corruption under the ruling NPP, he says the number 8 is a turning point for change.
Speaking to the media on Friday, September 20, after the voting, Mr. Kwetey said that the party’s stance indicates that it is time for the NDC to assume power and deal with the governance and economic issues that have arisen while the NPP has been in power.
“We came here asking for God’s perfect will to be done and we accept the number eight. After eight critical years of decay, after eight years of total lack of order, corruption and darkness that has engulfed this country, I think the eight is quite significant to tell the country that this is the moment to stop the decay after the eight years,” he said.
