GHANA'S RULING NPP PARTY CONGRESS: EMPHASIZING UNITY

UNCLAS ACCRA 000142 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM GH SUBJECT: GHANA'S RULING NPP PARTY CONGRESS: EMPHASIZING UNITY REF: ACCRA 03031 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its National Delegates Conference from January 5-7 to prepare for the 2008 presidential election. President Kufuor was clearly concerned about the number of NPP presidential aspirants (nearly two dozen) and the effect a divisive campaign could have on his government and the party's electoral prospects. He urged candidates to examine their motives for being in the race and exhorted them to avoid ugly campaigns. End Summary. ¶2. (U) In preparation for Ghana's 2008 presidential elections, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its National Delegates Conference from January 5-7 in Koforidua, under the theme "Moving Forward in Unity". Emboffs attended the conference's official opening on January 6, which featured addresses by key NPP leaders, including President John Kufuor. The NPP event followed on the heels of the party congress held by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on December 21, 2006 (reftel). -------------- --- KUFUOR: NPP MUST WORK TOGETHER TO MAINTAIN POWER -------------- --- ¶3. (U) In his opening address, President Kufuor stated that the NPP must focus on its common goals of retaining power and advancing Ghana as a nation. Kufuor highlighted several of his party's achievements during his two terms in office, including the completion of road infrastructure projects, reduced inflation, improved school enrollment, and increased youth employment. Kufuor declared that Ghana would complete a redenomination of the cedi by July 3, making the cedi roughly equal to one U.S. dollar. He acknowledged that there have been some problems under his administration, particularly economic stagnation in the private sector. However, Kufuor chided his opponents for simultaneously criticizing his economic programs while enjoying the benefits of an economy that is growing, albeit slower than was hoped for. ¶4. (U) Kufuor cautioned NPP candidates to avoid mud-slinging in the run-up to choosing their party's presidential candidate, as this would only provide the rival NDC with ammunition to use against the NPP. Kufuor further asked that all potential 2008 presidential aspirants only enter the race if doing so would be in the best interest of the party and of the nation. Those seeking the presidency must be fit to "manage the destiny of an entire people", Kufuor said. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The conference's focus on the need for unity speaks to the dizzying number of NPP presidential aspirants -- nearly two dozen, many of them Cabinet members -- and the party's concern that internal divisions could hurt the party's chance to retain power. A number of the aspirants and their supporters used the congress as an opportunity for self-promotion, despite the unity theme. Just mid-way into Kufuor's second term, the NPP is already pre-occupied with internal disagreements over who should take the reigns in 2008. Any open attempt by the President to support a particular candidate could result in major party divisions, affecting not only the campaign, but the Kufuor administration's ability to govern in the coming two years. BRIDGEWATER