William Jalulah
31 October 2008
Upper East Region Views from a cross-section of the public in Bolgatanga, after the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) presidential debate, suggest that the flagbearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, was the one who won the hearts of the many floating voters.
The responders, who included students of voting age, teachers, civil workers and self-employed individuals, observed that Dr. Nduom was very specific on issues, by numbering and addressing them one after the other, with practical examples.
One of such responders was a teacher at Aim Preparatory School in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Mr. Ganiwu Salifu, who also said he was personally impressed with Dr. Nduom's submissions, because "he spoke like a president who was addressing the entire nation."
Mr. Ganiwu was particularly happy with the way Nduom tackled the question about oil, saying that if it would not benefit Ghanaians, then it should better remain in the ground, meaning that he would ensure that Ghanaians, especially communities around the catchment area of the find, benefited immensely from the resource.
In his views, Nana Addo of the NPP spoke as if he was addressing intellectuals and not ordinary voters.
He said the candidate should have spoken in simple terms and specific in addressing the issues. One thing that was unanimous among the respondents, were congratulatory messages to the IEA for organising such a debate.
They hoped it would impact positively or negatively on each candidate, thus giving the opportunity to the undecided electorate to make their choices.
There were however some mixed reactions from some respondents. While some said Dr. Edward Mahama of the PNC was very objective and specific in addressing the issues, others saw him as someone who was either saying the same things said by Prof Mills of the NDC, or Dr. Nduom of the CPP. Some also criticised Prof. Mills for attacking Nana Addo and the NPP government, rather than answering the questions.
One panellist, on Style FM Supper Morning Show, a newspaper review programme on Style FM in Bolgatanga, noted to be a strong NDC member confessed, "it is unfortunate that Ghanaians do not vote on issues, the political terrain would have changed in favour of Nduom, because he catalogued the issues."
A popular NPP member in the region, who pleaded anonymity, expressed what she said was disappointment, in Nana Addo, claiming that his posture and the shirt he wore were not appealing.
She was also not happy with the manner in which Nana occasionally mentioned the names of the two moderators, Cyril Acolatse and Prof Kwame Karikari, before answering questions.
In her view, Nana was speaking to the whole nation to seek power, and not the moderators.
Some of the respondents were however quick to say that Nana started well when he addressed the issue of the economy and international relations, but fell short when "Prof. Mills started pushing him to the wall."
Though some claimed they have already made up their minds on who to vote for, they said while Prof Mills and Dr. Mahama were wasting time enumerating problems facing the nation, instead of solutions, Nana also wasted more time dwelling on the achievements of the Kufuor administration, and was always belled out. They said Dr. Nduom then took advantage of his colleagues' weaknesses, and articulated himself to the admiration of most viewers or listeners of the debate. Eastern Region
From Isaac Akwetey, Koforidua Residents in Koforidua, capital of the Eastern Region, have described last Wednesday's presidential debate, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), as bogus and a mere stage of entertainment, since it would not have any influence on the forthcoming December general elections.
According to them, the outcome of the debate had nothing to offer any of the candidates, since the good people of Ghana have already made up their minds as to who to vote for in the December 7 elections.
Even though they condemned the programme, some described the total display of the four presidential candidates as above average, since they all answered their questions in a very professional manner, political maturity, and displayed one common goal.
On the other hand, many were those, mainly traders and commercial drivers, who were surprised over the way Nana Akufo-Addo responded to a questioned asked by the moderators, on how he would fund the free Senior High School education.
They explained that Nana's promise of ensuring a free SHS was mere political gimmick, since he could not answer questions on how to fund the programme. Some were also not happy that other presidential candidates were not allowed to participate in the debate.
They, however, congratulated Dr. Nduom for his excellent display.
They explained that the CPP candidate was the man of the night, since he was very precise and laconic with his answers.
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