Correspondence from Michael Oberteye, Eastern Region
Some residents of Somanya in the Eastern Region have passed a satisfactory verdict on the overall performance of the government ahead of the 2024 polls.
In recent separate interviews in Somanya, respondents highlighted various interventions, including the free SHS policy, the Agenda 111 projects, and road infrastructure across the country, as major success points of the Akufo-Addo government’s eight-year tenure.
However, they pointed out that creating employment opportunities, ensuring a robust economy, and improving general infrastructure are areas the next government must prioritise.
Joseph Atama, a visually impaired pensioner, expressed his unwavering support for the NPP government, citing its educational policy and health sector interventions.
“My assessment of the government is that because of the free education, hospitals…the Agenda 111 and a lot of things that the government has done, I think the government has done well and I’ll vote for them,” he said.
He expressed hope that the next government would ease the tax burden on Ghanaians, reduce duties on goods and services, and foster a robust economy to alleviate citizens’ plight.
Joining the call for peace during the elections, Mr. Atama urged Ghanaians to maintain order: “[We want] peaceful elections…after voting, go to your house…go and sit down and then if you want to jubilate, you jubilate.”
Mantey Bennett Lartey, a lotto writer, also expressed satisfaction with the government’s performance over the past eight years.
“For the NPP [government], I don’t have too much problem with them because what they told us that they would do, they’ve done about 80 percent of their promises…they said they’d do free SHS and they’ve done it and they’re taking care of our health…and moreover, there’s peace in the country,” he said.
He urged the next government to tackle the galamsey menace head-on to restore the sanctity of the country’s water bodies and create more job opportunities for the youth. Additionally, he encouraged voters to adhere to electoral rules to ensure peace before, during, and after the polls.
A salesgirl who gave her name as Perpetual commended the government for its achievements, saying, “The NPP government has helped us…they’re doing well with the roads.” She further appealed for improvements in other roads and educational infrastructure in poor condition, urging the next government to address these issues.
Another respondent, a farmer, praised the government’s efforts. “They’ve tried for us, they’ve given us hospitals and roads, fixing everything,” he said.
However, he called on the next government to prioritise job creation and further improvements to road infrastructure.
He also urged Ghanaians to vote peacefully on 7 December and avoid any chaos.
Stephanie, a student of the University of Education, Winneba, offered a measured assessment of the government’s performance.
“I’m not going to say they’ve done so well; I’m not going to say they’ve deviated from what they told us they’d do for the country…but they’ve done their best,” she said, acknowledging both achievements and shortcomings.
A product of the government’s flagship free SHS programme, Stephanie recognised the policy as a significant intervention that helped many young people access secondary education.
She urged the next government to prioritise the health sector by improving infrastructure and equipment to ensure a healthier populace.
The student also appealed to the youth not to be influenced by political incentives to engage in violence but to peacefully exercise their franchise.
Ghanaians will head to the polls on 7 December 2024 to elect a successor to President Akufo-Addo, with current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama emerging as the frontrunners among the 13 candidates cleared by the Electoral Commission to run for president.
