The political messaging around the ballot numbers has flooded media, political, and social conversations, with political experts, party sympathizers, and communication analysts attributing meanings to the NPP at number 1, the NDC at number 8, and Alan Kyerematen at number 13.
After 32 years of practicing democracy and successfully conducting 8 general elections, ballot numbers have had a pivotal role in political communication and the outcome of elections. Despite attention coalescing around numbers 1 and 8, Alan Kyeremanten appearing at the bottom of the ballot paper, at number 13, may prove to be the unexpected factor that shakes up the dominance of the NPP and the NDC.
Analyzing the number 13 exudes so much significance, hinting at a political and democratic revolution—an end of the duopoly and the beginning of a new era. This aligns with the vision of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, positioning Alan Kyerematen as a potential gamechanger in the December 2024 elections.
Why No.1 and No.8 might fail the duopoly
In the 1992 elections, the first elections held in the fourth republic, the NPP’s flagbearer, Professor Adu Boahen, was number one on the ballot paper, while the NDC’s J.J. Rawlings secured the 4th position on the ballot paper. However, number 1 failed to secure the NPP win. What will it do in 2024?
In the 2000 elections, John Agyekum Kuffour placed seventh and in last position on the ballot paper, yet he emerged the winner, ending the NDC’s 8-year regime after a run-off. The memorable chants of “Aseε hɔ” by his supporters were also echoed at President Kufuor’s inauguration on 7 January 2001, where his portrayal of the “Aseε hɔ” thumb erupted the crowds in loud screams. It is worth noting that the last man on the ballot broke the 8 in 2000. It may happen again in 2024.
In 2008, despite Kwabena Kwabena Kwabena’s “Ɔy3 number one” song, which seemed effective for the NPP, they lost to Professor Mills in a run-off by 40,000 votes, which still had Akufo-Addo retaining number one on the ballot paper for the run-off. This is akin to this year’s balloting, where the NPP came in 1st despite 2 random picks. The number one message failed again. What will it do in 2024?
In an eventful election in 2012, which was petitioned at the Supreme Court, the NDC won with the mantra “Aseε hɔ” and “Two sure for positive change,” despite Nana Akufo-Addo securing number 1 again. The “ase3 hɔ” messaging proved effective over number one.
This year’s election would be very defining in Ghana’s politics. Pursuant to the history of number one in key elections, the NPP will certainly lose the election, and the NDC’s number 8 might not pull more magic as it has been the mantra of the NPP even in 2023.
The “ase3 hɔ” could be the shocker in this election, and the nomination of Kwame Owusu Danso as Alan’s running mate adds more weight to vote swaying in his favor as his youthfulness is a key decider in this election. This election would be decided by the youth, whom former president Kuffour has labeled “the ultimate kingmakers” in this election.
Recent surveys, such as the 2023 Afrobarometer report, indicated that 68% of Ghanaians aged 18–35 believe the country would benefit from younger political leadership. Similarly, a youth poll conducted by Imani Africa revealed that 7 out of 10 young people feel that leaders under the age of 45 would be better equipped to address the nation’s pressing issues, particularly unemployment and the digital economy.
Kwame Owusu Danso, Esq.’s nomination as the running mate is representative of a youth clothed in a coat of many colors: rising from the depths of a humble beginning to paying his dues as a corporate executive, private legal practitioner, and counsel for Trassaco Group, a journalist, pan-Africanist, and anti-graft crusader. This could somewhat have a toll on Alan’s fortunes in the elections.