GHANA'S PARTY CONVENTIONS: RAWLINGS CANDIDATE WINS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000014

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015
TAGS: GH PGOV PREL GOG
SUBJECT: GHANA'S PARTY CONVENTIONS: RAWLINGS CANDIDATE WINS
IN NDC, KUFUOR'S FAVORITE LOSES IN NPP

REF: ACCRA 02517

Classified By: PolChief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.5 d and e.


1. (C) Summary: Ghana's two leading political parties held
conventions which elected new party leadership and will help
set the stage for national elections in 2008. The ruling NPP
convention was marked by a tight leadership contest and left
President Kufuor weakened within his party. The main
opposition NDC convention was at times unruly and
inflammatory, reinforcing the dominance within the party of
former President Jerry Rawlings. Both parties changed many
of their leaders, including new chairmen, who will be key
players in selecting candidates and planning the 2008
electoral battles. End summary.

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KUFUOR'S PICK LOSES NPP LEADERSHIP RACE
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2. (SBU) On December 17, the NPP held its convention under
the shadow of a corruption scandal. In the weeks prior to
the convention, the media released the secretly taped
complaint by former NPP Chairman Haruna Esseku that the
President and his staff had been siphoning off party
proceeds. The tape included an admission by NPP National
Organizer Lord Commey (who was reelected) that he commanded
1,100 "action troopers" who worked for the party to disrupt
and intimidate during elections (reftel). Under intense
intra-party pressure because of this tape, Esseku resigned on
the eve of the NPP convention. Two potential successors
emerged: First Vice Chairman Steven Ntim (half-Brong,
half-Ashanti) and Western Regional Chairman Peter Mac Manu
(Ashanti). President Kufuor endorsed Ntim, who supporters
said could have broadened the ethnic appeal of the
Ashanti-dominated NPP and made an Ashanti presidential
candidate more acceptable in 2008.


3. (C) In addressing the delegates, Kufuor referred to
growing disenchantment with his administration as "Second
Term Blues." In translating Kufuor's remarks into several
local languages, the Master of Ceremonies offered the less
than enthusiastic takeaway that the NPP was still the best
option despite its recent shortcomings. Careful not to
alienate whichever faction proved victorious, some delegates
predicted a close race and kept their preferences private.
However, Ntim's candidacy was hurt when Minister of
Information Dan Botwe, a former NPP General Secretary, said
he was not for "officialdom" and endorsed Mac Manu (later
half-joking to Poloffs that the statement could lose him his
job.) Esseku also endorsed Mac Manu. In what some media
outlets called a "humbling" of Kufuor, Mac Manu took the
party's top position with 711 votes to Ntim's 635.

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RAWLINGS HOLDS SWAY OVER NDC
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4. (SBU) The New Democratic Congress (NDC) convention in
Koforidua on December 21 had more certain outcomes. Former
President Rawlings' ongoing feuds with NDC Chairman Obed
Asamoah and other party officials were no secret. (Note:
Critics say Asamoah refused to release party funds in 2004 to
support Atta-Mills and undermined party unity. End note.)
Rawlings told delegates he would not condemn Asamoah and his
operatives but would rather "pray for their souls." He said
that corrupt NPP officials could expect lengthy jail terms if
the NDC regains power. Rawlings' candidate for NDC chairman,
Dr. Kwabena Adjei, won by a landslide (1,150 to 280).


7. (SBU) The convention was marked by allegations of
intra-party violence and intimidation. Some news outlets
reported that Asamoah's supporters had held delegates captive
in Kumasi prior to the convention in an attempt to ensure
votes for him. Frances Essiam, the party's former Women's
Organizer, resigned from the party and told the media that
Rawlings supporters had attacked her after she responded to
Rawlings' convention remarks on JoyFM radio station. On
December 29 Kwaku Baah, a former NDC Vice Chairman, also
resigned from the NDC saying, "I cannot stand the thuggery
and intimidation in the party."

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COMMENT
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8. (C) Ghana's party conventions convey important first
signals about the tenor and landscape we are likely to see in
the 2008 elections. The NPP convention reveals internal
friction. Mac Manu's election may make it more difficult for
Ashanti aspirants in 2008 (such as Kwame Addo Kufuor, the
Defense Minister and the President's brother). Rawlings has
in recent years been a lightning rod within his own party,
with detractors hoping he would fade into the political
background for the next presidential contest. This
convention suggests that Rawlings is still the kingmaker for
the NDC. His dominance and rough style will also continue to
be a source of division and discontent for some in the NDC.
In his speech to the convention, Atta-Mills reiterated his
claims that the NPP stole the 2004 election and warned that
if the NPP uses action troopers again, "They will live to
regret it...There are times when you have to assert your
rights." While his rhetoric was at least in part meant to
bolster his popularity within the party (his NDC critics have
claimed he is too mild-mannered and conciliatory),the
ominous rhetoric emanating from the NDC and the reports of
intra-party violence are not healthy for democracy in Ghana.

LANIER