The Ghanaian political landscape has evolved and with the 2008 elections beckoning, electorates will consider so many factors before casting their vote for one candidate or another. Could one of those factors be the dress code and appearance of the political candidates? Like the American politics where every detail of the politician, including their private matters falls within the lenses of the media, the Ghanaian experience cannot be any different. For instance the pregnancy of the 17-year-old daughter of the Republican running mate has taken centre stage since Monday, affecting the rating of the candidate himself. But here in Ghana the presidential candidates have other things to worry about, including fashion. Adom News turns its radar on the fashion of presidential candidates and their running mates in Ghana and its possible repercussion on the December elections. On the ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has been lambasted for his constant admiration for black suit, perhaps because he is a lawyer. Some people even accuse him of dragging his trousers up, way beyond his waist, a style popularly referred to as ‘Pimpinis’. Some also say he often raises his shirt collar, a sign hitherto equated to stubborn teenage boys who had grown ‘wings’. But the spokesperson for Nana Addo, Mustapha Hamid says Nana’s dressing is the least of their worries. Nana is a fine gentleman who loves fashion and has been praised by several people, he added. “We have only asked him not to wear too many black suites but go for brighter colours to give him a more pronounce look, but the comment that he raises his collar does not mean anything you know. Nana is a ‘guy’ and he feels good about himself, that’s just it and not the funny interpretations people have tried to attach to it.” The NPP running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia undoubtedly appears fashionable, but cannot escape criticism for his new found love for smock. Reports from the North say Dr Bawumia has been sticking to the NPP coloured smock to give him easy movement and some kind of identity. In the NDC camp, Prof. Mills is not a fashion-craze person. For him, a pair of jeans, sneakers, sunglasses and a baseball cup is enough to set him off on his campaign. I asked Nii Lantey Vanderpuye why Prof. Mills dresses like that. His defence is that the Prof. has successfully reformed from a University Prof. into an ordinary person who dresses to suit the occasion and nothing else. “He is one person who is very particular about how he looks; he wants to be sure what the culture is wherever we are going, before he dresses.” I think the Prof. normally goes with his pair of sneakers when he knows he is will be walking over long distance, adding that the spectacles is not to cover any defects but to give him shade under scorching sun. Nii Lantey added The NDC running mate John Mahama, the Lady’s Man seems to have lost some of his shine, probably due to age. He has gained weight, grown grey hair and has developed a small “pot belly”. But always looks simple and smart in his lacoste and jeans to match Even more interesting is the looks of the CPP candidate Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom. He has developed a unique look with his carefully trimmed moustache which does not escape notice. However some fashion experts have advised that he shaves it completely or reduce the length, arguing that it may scare female voters who are believed to prefer clean shaved men. But his campaign team says Dr. Ndoum is keeping it so they have to get used to it. Afua Pokuaa, Adom FM The Ghanaian political landscape has evolved and with the 2008 elections beckoning, electorates will consider so many factors before casting their vote for one candidate or another. Could one of those factors be the dress code and appearance of the political candidates? Like the American politics where every detail of the politician, including their private matters falls within the lenses of the media, the Ghanaian experience cannot be any different. For instance the pregnancy of the 17-year-old daughter of the Republican running mate has taken centre stage since Monday, affecting the rating of the candidate himself. But here in Ghana the presidential candidates have other things to worry about, including fashion. Adom News turns its radar on the fashion of presidential candidates and their running mates in Ghana and its possible repercussion on the December elections. On the ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has been lambasted for his constant admiration for black suit, perhaps because he is a lawyer. Some people even accuse him of dragging his trousers up, way beyond his waist, a style popularly referred to as ‘Pimpinis’. Some also say he often raises his shirt collar, a sign hitherto equated to stubborn teenage boys who had grown ‘wings’. But the spokesperson for Nana Addo, Mustapha Hamid says Nana’s dressing is the least of their worries. Nana is a fine gentleman who loves fashion and has been praised by several people, he added. “We have only asked him not to wear too many black suites but go for brighter colours to give him a more pronounce look, but the comment that he raises his collar does not mean anything you know. Nana is a ‘guy’ and he feels good about himself, that’s just it and not the funny interpretations people have tried to attach to it.” The NPP running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia undoubtedly appears fashionable, but cannot escape criticism for his new found love for smock. Reports from the North say Dr Bawumia has been sticking to the NPP coloured smock to give him easy movement and some kind of identity. In the NDC camp, Prof. Mills is not a fashion-craze person. For him, a pair of jeans, sneakers, sunglasses and a baseball cup is enough to set him off on his campaign. I asked Nii Lantey Vanderpuye why Prof. Mills dresses like that. His defence is that the Prof. has successfully reformed from a University Prof. into an ordinary person who dresses to suit the occasion and nothing else. “He is one person who is very particular about how he looks; he wants to be sure what the culture is wherever we are going, before he dresses.” I think the Prof. normally goes with his pair of sneakers when he knows he is will be walking over long distance, adding that the spectacles is not to cover any defects but to give him shade under scorching sun. Nii Lantey added The NDC running mate John Mahama, the Lady’s Man seems to have lost some of his shine, probably due to age. He has gained weight, grown grey hair and has developed a small “pot belly”. But always looks simple and smart in his lacoste and jeans to match Even more interesting is the looks of the CPP candidate Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom. He has developed a unique look with his carefully trimmed moustache which does not escape notice. However some fashion experts have advised that he shaves it completely or reduce the length, arguing that it may scare female voters who are believed to prefer clean shaved men. But his campaign team says Dr. Ndoum is keeping it so they have to get used to it. Author: Afua Pokuaa Adom FM