Former President and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has made a bold declaration, calling himself the “holder of the 8” in response to the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ongoing campaign to “break the 8.”
The NPP has been rallying to win a third consecutive term in the 2024 elections, a feat no party in Ghana has achieved since the Fourth Republic.
Addressing artisans at the Kokompe Spare Parts Line in the Ablekuma North Constituency as part of his campaign tour, Mahama confidently declared that the NPP’s goal to break the 8 is unattainable with him in the race. “They are now shying away from breaking the 8 because I hold the eight,” he remarked, positioning himself as a symbolic obstacle to the NPP’s ambitions.
The NDC’s flag bearer further challenged his political opponents, stating, “If they say they want to break the 8, let them try and do so for me to see, because I am now the holder of the number 8.”
This rhetoric builds on the political momentum surrounding the upcoming 2024 elections, where the NPP is hoping to secure a historic third term in power, while the NDC seeks to reclaim the presidency after losing in 2016 and 2020.
Beyond the symbolism of the “number 8,” Mahama promised tangible benefits for local businesses, assuring the artisans of key policy changes under a future NDC government. He pledged to introduce a fixed-rate system at Ghana’s ports, aimed at creating a more transparent and efficient process for importing goods. This policy, Mahama said, would alleviate the challenges faced by local businesses, particularly those reliant on imports, ensuring a more predictable and fair system.
As the campaign heats up, Mahama’s comments signal a direct challenge to the NPP’s election strategy, making the “breaking the 8” rhetoric a central theme in the 2024 political landscape.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
