A study conducted into the campaign promises of the presidential candidates has shown that most of the promises are unrealistic and unachievable. The study was conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) after compiling the various promises outlined by the political parties ahead of the December polls. Dr. William Ahadzie a social scientist who conducted the study on behalf of IEA told Joy news’ Samson Lardi Ayenini, that “some of the promises are vain.” “If you promise to build universities in all the ten regions you must convince me on how to provide lecturers to fill all those universities otherwise it will be another empty promise to win votes,” he added. Dr. Ahadzie declined naming which of the presidential candidates was more guilty, but said “Ghanaians should be discerning and ask themselves if these promises can be attained within the stipulated time frame.” He advised electorates to check the track records of the parties who have been in government before, and be guided by speculative promises of those who are yet to taste government. “For those who have run state machinery before, ask yourself if it is feasible for them to achieve what they say they would, and don’t forget we have been witnesses to cases where parties made promises but realised it was a different thing when they came into government.” Even though some of the promises were on target, Dr. Ahadzie says they were unattainable within the time frame those promises were to be achieved. Author: Nathan Gadugah