Controversial ‘Throwback’ Billboards Surface in Accra Ahead of 2024 Election

In the run-up to the 2024 elections in Ghana, the city of Accra has witnessed the emergence of unconventional billboards featuring throwback statements from political leaders. These billboards, strategically placed around Kwame Nkrumah Circle and various vantage points, showcase tweets from Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) campaign trail leading up to the 2016 general election.

One such billboard, dated December 2, 2015, displayed a tweet from Vice President Bawumia, stating, “NDC has resorted to increasing taxes under the economic difficulties they created. An NPP Government will do differently.” Another featured a statement from Nana Akufo-Addo’s October 2016 tweet, which read, “There are a few people who have prospered under this government, largely members of the President’s family and his inner circle.”

Interestingly, the first billboard, erected around Danquah Circle in late November 2023, faced controversy as it was mysteriously pulled down by unknown individuals. Social media erupted with accusations of government involvement in the removal. Since then, several similar billboards have reappeared across the capital, sparking renewed discussions about unfulfilled promises made by Vice President Bawumia.

This development has triggered a counter-campaign, with billboards now featuring screenshots of news articles about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, John Mahama. One such headline reads, “I am not a magician to put money in your pockets – Mahama.” As both major political camps deploy new strategies to market their messages, the impact on voters’ choices in the December 2024 elections remains uncertain.

The political landscape is evolving, with the use of unconventional methods to highlight past statements and scrutinize political figures. This resurgence of throwback billboards adds a unique dimension to the electoral discourse, providing voters with a retrospective look at promises and statements made by key figures in the political arena. As the campaigns intensify, the effectiveness of these strategies and their influence on voters will unfold in the coming months.

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