Several leaders in the Eastern Region have expressed discontent with the unfulfilled promises of the NPP government, rejecting the "Breaking the 8" campaign during John Mahama's two-day visit.

Nana Owiredu Agyarko, Chief of Ahomahomasu, dismissed the NPP's "Breaking the 8" slogan and advocated for support for John Dramani Mahama's pledge of a 24-hour economy.

The NPP's "Breaking the 8" initiative aims to secure victory in the 2024 elections, challenging the traditional eight-year cycle of changing government in Ghana's fourth republic.

Nana Owiredu Agyarko stated, "The breaking the 8 mantra will never come off today nor tomorrow. We have poured libation against it; it will not happen."

In an unexpected move, the Krontihene of the Anum traditional area, Osahene Owusu Ntow IV, publicly apologized to NDC's John Mahama for campaigning against him in the 2016 general election. He criticized the deceptive nature of promises made by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia regarding road infrastructure in the Akwamu area.

“A certain Chief in Akwamu endorsed President Mahama, claiming that all the chiefs in Anum support him. I went on the radio to debunk the claim that we all support him. I am that chief who did that but your Excellency, forgive me my sins,” he pleaded.

“I didn’t know His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was lying to me. He deceived us into voting for him. He consequently graded our road but the road is in its worst condition because they have abandoned it. They say it was not in the budget. We don’t need anything, we don’t need the toilet, water all that we are asking is our roads,” he added.

He highlighted Gyakiti, Agyena, Akwamufie, and Anum-Boso, among other locations, as having deteriorating roads, urging President Mahama to address these issues if he assumes office in 2025.

Furthermore, the Chief of Akyem Kukurantumi, along with the Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, expressed support for John Dramani Mahama, acknowledging him as a seasoned candidate capable of revitalizing the economy and enhancing living standards.

He emphasized Mahama's favorable track record, assuring him of victory in the upcoming elections.

John Mahama reassured the chiefs and their communities that the next NDC government would tackle road degradation in farming areas, revitalize the declining cocoa sector, reintroduce subsidized fertilizer, and prioritize value addition to agricultural produce to enhance farmers' incomes.