It is slightly past midday, we are in Sekondi and the weather is as hot as lava. All it takes is one drop of water, or maybe more, for any of us to exude steam, but for now the campaign team still has miles to walk. We soldier on.

The team is boxed within a sauna; coal-tarred streets beneath and archaic cement buildings around us.

The sea is only a stone-throw away, lined up with hand-crafted banana-shaped traditional Fanti pirogues and canoes sculptured from wood.

There is only a thick pile of rubbish on rocks that divides us; it merely mirrors the calibre and performance of the leadership entrusted to shape our society.

The stench of neglect is offensive; it’s literally filthier than the Akufo-Addo government. I’d much rather not state the obvious but clearly: there’s a need for a change in government, and it must be now.

But there’s a shift in our moods and energies moments after. And of course, it’s powered by the music: a vehicle right ahead of us, loaded with speakers, blasts without any apologies the NDC rendition of gospel hit song ‘bobolebo’.

I’m not the only one suddenly invigorated — joined by a flock of progressives, the team jog and clap to the message of the song.

It’s not too long before we hop in the car and get back on the road. Destination: the Ghana National Association of Teachers Hall. Professor Opoku-Agyemang is scheduled to hold a dialogue session with traders and professionals.

The ambiance within the building upon her arrival is almost spiritual - there’s a rare sense of genuine love and admiration for Prof. Opoku-Agyemang. She glides through the hall with grace and ascends the stage.

The rapture couldn’t be tempered even after an ambitious plea by organisers for the people to calm down. And, in that divine moment, the Vice-Presidential candidate, with what has become her signature dance, sways gently from side to side, rolling one index finger over the other.

I was utterly shocked by the cult around her personality. She seems to have awoken, in the very breasts of the citizenry, a potent sense of pride, patriotism and industry.

The hall is packed with a kaleidoscope of citizens: From the meticulous carpenters and masons that erect the structures of the city, seamstresses that keep the community vogue, an association of gender equity activists and so forth.

One after the other, the groups outline their aspirations and shower the Vice-Presidential candidate with praise.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang remains principled. She does not adjust her flag to the wind. Instead, she stays on course. She listens. She absorbs opinions, assessments and notes down ideas.

She finally makes her way to the podium. There’s a brief few seconds of silence in anticipation of her speech.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang made a case that the denial of basic socioeconomic rights to Ghanaians wasn’t a partisan issue and called, in an outburst of nationalism, for the community to broaden their idea of Ghana as a Republic above tribalism.

We all sat tightly glued to our seats and assimilated her values.

The happiness she was received with didn’t quite match her exit; they were determined to halt her departure. “Yaa Asantewaa don’t leave”, a lady clad in NDC colours wailed.

I could totally relate to her sentiment.

To women like her — green, white and red are more than just colours; the tricoloured NDC flag is a character and distinct approach to nation-building.

The era of a new dawn in our Fourth draws nigh. Ghana is blessed with an elegant culture, diligent citizens and abundant natural resources.

The mass of our people can’t continue to endure the painful socioeconomic realities that keep them in poverty and disease. We must rise above the challenges and leave a past of mediocre nation-building behind.

The National Democratic Congress shall return Ghana to its post-independence era of glory so we take our rightful place amongst the nations of the universe.

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Vincent Djokoto is an Adviser at D. K. T. Djokoto & Co and a Columnist passionate about politics, pop culture and history. He is an avid chess player, music enthusiast and Accra Hearts of Oak fan.