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).

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KUFUOR: NPP MUST WORK TOGETHER TO MAINTAIN POWER
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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.

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COMMENT
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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