Kofi Agyepong and Cephas Larbi
4 December 2008
New figures put party's presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo ahead Dr Apraku says no second round
With only four days left for Election 2008, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)and its presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have much to cheer about. The November figures from Research International give Nana Akufo-Addo a marginal but crucial lead over his next rival Prof.
Evans Atta Mills of the NDC. The figures show that if the elections are held now Nana could win with a 50.8%.
Yesterday at a press conference Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku said there would be no second round in this year's elections and the party would be surprised if the election goes to a second round. Dr. Apraku said, "We are going to put National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a permanent sleep...its one touch".
Ghanaians, he said, are waiting for 7th December to reject Atta Mills and the NDC because they have already told them they do not want them to lead the country again.
Encouraged by recent opinion polls, he said, "We can say with confidence that results from a number of polls generated by various organizations such as Research International, Primary Research Associates, and other private organizations point to an NPP presidential victory over NDC with a margin of 10% to 15%".
This kind of lead, he said, even allowing for a significant margin of error, would give Nana Akufo-Addo well over 50% in this Sunday's elections. "This means a one touch victory, and a mandate to lead Ghana in confidence and unity for the next four years," he said.
Research International is a well know polling organization whose figures have often proved fairly accurate. In the notes to its current figures giving the NPP an edge, it said, "Data excludes some 10% of voters refusing to endorse any candidate at the time of polling during each of the 3 waves.
Each wave polled 4060 registered voters in all 230 constituencies totaling 12,180 in the 3 waves.This data was weighted by the number of registered voters in each constituency."
Dr. Apraku said while taking delight in the lead of the polls, the NPP is even more inspired to work harder to ensure a massive and decisive win. "Our priority now is to make sure that as many people get out and vote on Sunday, to make sure that this overwhelming popular support is turned into votes," he said.
He assured Ghanaians that the NPP would do everything to ensure a peaceful election and revealed the party's confidence in the ability of the security services and personnel.
"It remains our sincere hope that the NDC in the last few days of this campaign will reverse their approach in respect of negative campaign and join the NPP by turning their back on a strategy of disinformation and false accusation. Let us join together to finish this election campaign in a positive spirit," he said.
Dr. Apraku said, "What Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP stand against in this election is the failures of the past.
Failures such as the creation of a society saturated by the fear of persecution, we stand against charging children money for the privilege of learning at school, and we stand against the brutal cash and carry approach to national healthcare that led Ghanaians to live in want of basic medical care for so many years.
We stand against insults, intimidation, and oppression of Ghanaians. We stand against polarization of our country along ethnic and tribal lines".
He therefore urged all Ghanaians to go out confidently without fear or apprehension and vote for the candidate of their choice.
"Ghanaians would celebrate a victory they want after the elections," he said.
Dr. Apraku was speaking at a press conference which was attended by party chairman, Peter Mac Manu, General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow and host of party executives.
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