Kumasi — AS THE Campaign for the 2012 general elections enters its final stage, with barely three weeks to go, the two major political parties, the opposition New Patriotic Party(NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress(NDC) appear to be leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to win the hearts of voters in the Ashanti Region.

Candidates of the two parties have intensified their campaign, after pitching camp in the region, as they prepare to wrap up their campaign ahead of the crucial December 7 elections.

The flagbearer of the NPP, for instance, has since last week been domiciled in the region, taking his Restoration of Hope Tour to parts of the region which were not covered during his ten day campaign tour last month.

The party has spiced up the campaign mood in its stronghold, after holding its Prayer and Thanksgiving ceremony to commit its electoral battle onto the hands of God Almighty.

After the thanksgiving ceremony, which witnessed a massive attendance at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, the NPP flagbearer on Monday, visited some constituencies in the regional capital, Kumasi, including Manhyia, Suame and Tafo Pankrono where he addressed enthusiastic supporters in a rally that travelled deep into the night.

He followed it up with visits to three constituencies in the Western part of the region, namely Bekwai, Obuasi and Amansie West constituencies.

As the opposition leader continues to enjoy the massive support of loyal party faithful in the region, the ruling party, in its quest to dilute and possible shift the media's attention from the NPP flagbearer, also asked the President and Presidential Candidate, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to get into the region.

President Mahama had a discussion with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs where he reportedly made some donations to them before commencing his official campaign in Ahafo North and South constituencies.

It is the President's first official campaign tour to the region since he was confirmed at the Presidential Candidate of the ruling party, following the demise of late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills.

The ruling party has always maintained that its electoral fortunes largely depend on how they are able to improve their percentage in the Ashanti Region, as statistics reveal the party has always won elections, if they are able to perform well in the presidential polls.

Its main target for this year's election is to reach a 30% percent mark; a feat which political analysts believe will be very difficult considering the vigorous campaign strategy of its political adversary, the NPP. Nevertheless, the battle lines appear to be drawn between the ruling NDC and the opposition NPP.