AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH HEAD OF NEW DEMOCRATIC

UNCLAS ACCRA 002674

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV GH
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH HEAD OF NEW DEMOCRATIC
FREEDOM PARTY

REF: ACCRA 02250


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Obed Asamoah engaged Ambassador in a
robust discussion on economic development, his vision for the
new political party he founded, health, and education.
Asamoah shared our concerns over the escalating war of words
between President Kufuor and former head of state Rawlings,
asserting that Ghana's two largest political parties seemed
headed toward a collision course. Calm and cerebral, Asamoah
provides some gravitas to the nascent Democratic Freedom
Party (DFP),though it remains to be seen whether the DFP
will grow large enough to become a significant third force in
the 2008 national elections. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater on November 2 met with
Dr. Obed Asamoah, former Fonmin and founding member of the
new Democratic Freedom Party (DFP),at the latter's request.
Asamoah was concerned that the two largest parties, the
ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition
National Democratic Congress (NDC),were on a collision
course and the next national elections in 2008 would prove to
be a "troublesome occasion." Because so many politicians
were on "ego trips" or promoting their own agendas, what
Ghana really needed was a third political force that would
enhance democracy, said Asamoah. He argued that with a
serious third party in the race, the eventual winner of the
2008 elections would have to negotiate with at least one
other party, thus leading to greater stability.


3. (U) Asamoah described his priorities as alleviating
poverty and boosting agricultural production. "Why could
India and China achieve self-sufficiency in food but not
Ghana?", Asamoah asked. He thought Ghana would do well to
focus on self-sustaining activities such as tourism and food
processing, rather than relying on handouts. Asamoah also
called for lower taxes, particularly on businesses, to
encourage private sector growth. Finally, he opined that
Ghana should concentrate on training more technicians and
fewer theoreticians.


4. (U) Ambassador noted Ghana's growth potential and its
reservoir of talent, much of which migrates overseas. She
pointed out a recent press article concerning higher infant
mortality rates, cautioning that Ghana would need a healthy
populace if it were to continue to move forward. Ambassador
added that Ghana enjoyed tremendous good will among the
international community and hoped that politicians would
emphasize what was best for the country, rather than fixating
on personalities.


5. (SBU) Asamoah said he was not planning on running for
president two years' hence, but instead wanted to devote his
time to building up a third party that would offer Ghanaians
a viable alternative to the NPP and NDC. Decrying rampant
corruption, Asamoah described some GOG anti-corruption
institutions as "toothless," but said that the Serious Fraud
Office, established while the NDC was in power, was strong.
As for the future of the fledgling DFP, Asamoah said the
party was drawing in lots of former NPP and NDC supporters, a
considerable number of people exiting the quixotic Convention
People's Party (CPP),and those who were previously
unaffiliated with any political party.


6. (SBU) Asked about the escalating rhetoric between
President Kufuor and former President Rawlings, Asamoah
concurred that the war of words had become nastier. While
Rawlings was already noted for being unrestrained and even
paranoid in seeing enemies everywhere, President Kufuor
seemed to be "losing his cool." The long-term implications,
he opined, were that the two largest parties will end up in
conflict.


7. (SBU) Ambassador concluded the meeting by saying she was
troubled by the downward trend away from civility. She had
seen situations where compatriots had become their own worst
enemies and did not want that to happen in Ghana. Ambassador
added that true economic development would surely lead to a
more stable, democratic environment in Ghana and wished
Asamoah success in making Ghana a better country.


8. (SBU) Comment: Asamoah sounded more right-of-center than
he did during our last meeting with him (reftel),when he
advocated a large state role in the economy. He is a serious
intellectual who is well respected. Although others have
dismissed the DFP's electoral prospects, the party could
surprise observers and play a pivotal role in the elections
of 2008 if it manages to expand beyond a cadre of
intellectuals and attract significant popular support. End
Comment.
BRIDGEWATER