Audio Attachment Some voices from the markets and the response of NDC's National Organiser, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo
A tale of whistle lollipop, ‘enhanced’ party paraphernalia and smart market strategy lies behind trading on the local market as the political temperature in the country gets spurred by the minute.
Candies that have for years been packaged without regard for colour on the outside now have a new touchup: the logos, symbols and designs of the two major political parties in Ghana, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
While the wrappers of some NDC branded candies are decorated with drawings of the unmbrella, those of the NPP have the symbol of the elephant strongly registered on them. Some had been shaped to mimic the trunk of the elephant.
Those of the other parties are however visibly missing.
Joy News’ Sammy Darko reported the vendors of the ‘political candies’ do not intend promoting any particular party but to obtain profit from the sale of their wares.
At the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Pedestrian shopping mall in Accra, a big market mamma sat on a mini stool as she yelled the praises of her candies: “Naa o Nana, Naa shuo,” meaning “here comes the King, here comes the elephant.”
Her posture could not be any different from that of a young girl at the Makola market who sold lollipop popularly called “Agartha” shouting “NDC ehe dwo bodoo,” translated “NDC, it chills.”
A young man who sold ice cream at Osu was a pro. He loaded the cones for his customers with drifts of frozen custard, made change and gave them directions to a barbecued chicken stand painted in NPP colours all without a blink.
“You go over there behind the kiosk, turn right and look up. It’s by the first high tension pole on your right,” he says handing over chocolate swirls.
The shift
In Ghana, the branding of items in party colours had only been associated with cloths, caps, and handheld fans.
These items were those usually seen in the colours of political parties in the country during election years; but now the candy has sunk into the fray.
A quick survey conducted at the markets revealed the demand for the party-branded candies was higher than the others.
“The selling of these has become political. An NPP faithful will not take kindly to it if you give them an NDC candy,” Maame Akua, a toffee seller at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle intimated.
For now, the temperature is high. Politics has moved from being the language of party kin pins to the decoration of inanimate objects that only melt on the tongue.
'Exploitation’
For the NDC, it is a "real opportunity" for the market woman to make some money.
The NDC is concerned about the exploitation of its party colours and symbols for commercial gain. It however admits that the increased sale of its paraphernalia could boost its electoral fortunes come December 7.
The National Organiser of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said the party must benefit from the sales.
“You need to show visibility at all levels and I believe that the use of the paraphernalia is one area in which the party can show its visibility. It will be appropriate that people who want to use the party symbols and colours try to at least seek some party clearance.
“We are concerned because we don’t want people to use the party symbol or insignia for any dubious activity. We are encouraged that our symbols are everywhere,” he said.
But with news that the vendors are running out of stock and that orders are being placed in China to import more candies, Mr Ofosu Ampofo said “a meeting would be convened and if there is the need to officially take a position on this matter,” it would be done to ensure the vendors “completing their job.”
Listen to audio attachment of some voices from the markets and the response of NDC's National Organiser, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo
