Presidential candidates of the two leading political parties have begun a subtle campaign ahead of the December 28 run-off, just hours after the Electoral Commission officially declared its results. Nana Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party presidential candidate was full of praise for Ghanaians for their conduct in the December 7 elections. At his residence in Accra, Akufo-Addo told supporters and some media personnel the election was a demonstration of how far Ghana has come with its democracy, adding the African can well manage her affairs. He noted Sunday’s election which resulted in a seemingly balanced parliament could well be chaotic and needed an experience leader and politician to bring all sides on board for purposes of development. He commended the NDC for a vibrant campaign which he said put his party on its toes. Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress Prof. John Evans Atta Mills says change is imminent and Ghanaians should be ready to embrace it. At his campaign office in Accra, Prof. Mills told newsmen the NDC according to the December 7 elections, controlled seven of the ten regions, has the majority seats in parliament and only needed an NDC president to run an efficient government. Prof. Mills trailed the ruling New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, polling 4,056,634 or 47.92% of votes. Akufo-Addo polled 4,159,439 or 49.13%. According to the NDC leader, the NPP administration has made life unbearable for the majority of Ghanaians, citing high petroleum prices on the local market, even though crude oil prices on the world market had reduced from an all time high of $147 per barrel to $47 per barrel. He reiterated his pledge to reduce taxes on petroleum products if elected into power in order to assuage the suffering of Ghanaians. He called on the minority parties to join the NDC to unseat the NPP from government. His statements mark the beginning of three weeks of grueling campaign to herald the December 28 run-off. Story by Nathan Gadugah