With seven months to go for the December presidential and parliamentary elections, the dailyEXPRESS decided to speak to some tertiary level students to find out what issues were of concern to them, if any, ahead of the election. For some of the student’s the paper interacted with, they seemed to be suffering from some kind of election fatigue. Their reasons for not been too keen on the elections or what the politicians say include the realization [or perception] that politicians especially the political elite have always failed to bring any major improvement in their conditions, both living and educational. A number of the students also considered political manifestoes as documents that must be treated with no respect because the ideas, ideals and visions in them never get implemented. Prince Nana Akoto, a first year student at the University Ghana says this year’s elections will be his first time of voting, but he’s not sure yet if he’ll be voting. He told the dailyEXPRESS he’ll only consider voting when “I’m convinced by any of the parties that the welfare of the people will be its priority.” “I’m also looking out for a party that opens itself up for the views of other people,” he added. Nana Akoto however concedes the difficulty in differentiating and determining whether or not the politicians will execute their promises to the people once power finally falls on their laps. “Past and present experiences make it difficult for me to accept wholeheartedly what they say.” Level 200 Political Science student, Allan Akrong also from the University of Ghana holds the view that though he’s not likely to vote in the up-coming elections, he will carefully look at the party that has a concerted plan towards alleviating the economic hardships facing majority of Ghanaians. According to Mr. Akrong, he’ll be looking out for a party that has a commitment to improving the justice delivery system in the country, where everybody is equal before the law. “Normally you hear stories of somebody stealing a sheep and jailed for ten years, and you have somebody who loots state treasury and goes in for only a year or even pardoned.” He said he’ll only vote in this year’s elections when he’s assured by the parties that access to justice will be even and swift for all citizens. Allan Akrong disagreed with a suggestion that voters should also try and exercise some circumspection anytime they hear such promises from the politicians. “We are not in their heads so how do you determine what they are saying is true or not,” he said strongly. “Not everyone thinks the way either you or me do and will also fall for such unrealistic expectations.” “Absolutely nothing will convince me to even get up and go and register,” Naana Gyesiwa Brown said. She said she’s already voted twice and the problems why she queued for hours are still compounding almost everyday. “You still have students standing outside lectures and taking their notes,” she said pointing to an on-going lecture where some students were standing outside. According to her, no amount of convincing will change her mind because “they’re only interested in enriching themselves with the power we’ve given them.” Accra Polytechnic student Terry Owusu-Somuah who described himself as political activist said he’ll make up his mind after carefully reading through the manifestoes of the various parties, and comparing to determine whose policies are realistic. “You don’t just get up and say I’m for this party because my parents belong to that party,” he stated. “At my level I have problems and will therefore be looking out for policies that are realistic and sound to help me address them.” Credit: Frank ADDO & Mathias AMOAH frank.addo@dailyexpressonline.com