Go for change, Mahama to voters in Ashanti Region 

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama has urged the electorate in the Ashanti Region to reflect on their current living conditions and vote him back to power to reset the country and position the economy on the path of growth. 

Mr Mahama outlined a number of challenges faced by Ghanaians, including high unemployment, economic hardships, and widespread dissatisfaction with the state of the nation as reason for voters in the region to reconsider their voting pattern on December 7, 2024. 

“The last eight years have been tough for many of you due to rising cost of living, lack of jobs, and mismanagement of the economy has left families struggling to make ends meet. I’m asking you to vote not out of fear or for material gain but based on the realities of your lives,” Mr Mahama said to an enthusiastic crowd at Kofiase in the Mampong Constituency on Saturday [Nov 30]. 

Ashanti tour 

The former president kicked off his campaign in the Ashanti Region on Saturday with a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, in a meeting that was held behind closed doors. 

The region, a strong hold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and crucial battleground in Ghana's presidential election is the last among the 16 regions in the country that Mr Mahama is visiting on his nationwide campaign tour. 

Mr Mahama is expected to spend six days in the region. 

On Saturday, the campaign team held mini campaign rallies in Ejura in the Ejura-Sekyedumase constituency and Wiamoase in the Afigya Kwabre East constituency, and engaged with communities in Kofiase in the Mampong constituency, Nsuta in the Nsuta/Kwamang/Beposo constituency, Ahenkro in the Afigya Kwabre North constituency, and Buoho in the Afigya Kwabre South constituency.

The NDC is seeking to make inroads in the Ashanti Region, which has traditionally been voting more for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since 1992.

Mr Mahama's campaign is focused on winning over voters who are dissatisfied with the current state of the economy and are looking for change.

Farmers service centre 

In Ejura, Mr Mahama criticised Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for failing to sustain the agricultural growth achieved under his administration, which he said has led to increased hunger and poverty.

“The economy we handed over to them was far better than what we are experiencing today, they have failed to sustain growth in agriculture, and their policies have left farmers neglected and struggling,” he said. 

With Ejura Sekyedumase being a food-producing constituency, Mr Mahama said the NDC’s proposed Farmers Service Centre initiative aimed at ensuring growth in the agricultural sector would be established to particularly help farmers to scale up. 

“This constituency is known for its food-growing potential, yet the current government has turned its back on farmers. That is why I am here to remind you of my vision for agriculture and to assure you that the NDC will do better for farmers,” he said.

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