Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ACCRA1757
2007-08-21 16:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
Prominent Candidates Announce Campaign for Convention
how-toVZCZCXRO5974 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHAR #1757 2331621 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211621Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5133 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ACCRA 001757
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: Prominent Candidates Announce Campaign for Convention
People's Party (CPP) Presidential Nomination
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEAE TREAT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS ACCRA 001757
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: Prominent Candidates Announce Campaign for Convention
People's Party (CPP) Presidential Nomination
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEAE TREAT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) In recent days, two well-known personalities have announced
their intention to challenge for the presidential nomination of the
Convention People's Party (CPP),and signaled a possible revival for
this once-powerful political movement. On August 13, Dr. Paa Kwesi
Nduom, former Minister for Public Sector Reform and Chairman of the
Millennium Challenge Authority, announced his intention to seek the
Convention People's Party (CPP) nomination. This was followed by a
similar announcement August 15 by Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a
well-known pathologist and former Director General of the Ghana
Health Service. Two lesser-known candidates have also announced
their candidacies: Kwaku Osafo, an Economics Professor, and Bright
Akwetey, an attorney.
2. (U) The CPP was historically an important party in Ghanaian
politics, but has played a marginal role in recent elections. It
was founded by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, and has
pursued a socialist political agenda. While the CPP's 2004
presidential candidate, George Aggudey, received only one percent of
the vote, party sources indicate that they are looking to regain
their status as a serious third force in Ghanaian politics.
Aggudey has not yet announced for 2008, although the media have
speculated that he will do so at some point. The actual CPP
nomination will likely occur in September.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The CPP holds a fraction of its former strength
(it currently holds three seats in Parliament) but local sources
indicate that it is determined to regain its status as a "third
force" in the 2008 elections against the NDC and NPP. While such a
resurgence has seemed unlikely, the emergence of two prominent - and
wealthy - candidates may revive the party's fortunes. Given that
most analysts expect the 2008 elections to be close, the resurgence
of a serious third party could affect the results. END COMMENT.
BRIDGEWATER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: Prominent Candidates Announce Campaign for Convention
People's Party (CPP) Presidential Nomination
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEAE TREAT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) In recent days, two well-known personalities have announced
their intention to challenge for the presidential nomination of the
Convention People's Party (CPP),and signaled a possible revival for
this once-powerful political movement. On August 13, Dr. Paa Kwesi
Nduom, former Minister for Public Sector Reform and Chairman of the
Millennium Challenge Authority, announced his intention to seek the
Convention People's Party (CPP) nomination. This was followed by a
similar announcement August 15 by Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a
well-known pathologist and former Director General of the Ghana
Health Service. Two lesser-known candidates have also announced
their candidacies: Kwaku Osafo, an Economics Professor, and Bright
Akwetey, an attorney.
2. (U) The CPP was historically an important party in Ghanaian
politics, but has played a marginal role in recent elections. It
was founded by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, and has
pursued a socialist political agenda. While the CPP's 2004
presidential candidate, George Aggudey, received only one percent of
the vote, party sources indicate that they are looking to regain
their status as a serious third force in Ghanaian politics.
Aggudey has not yet announced for 2008, although the media have
speculated that he will do so at some point. The actual CPP
nomination will likely occur in September.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: The CPP holds a fraction of its former strength
(it currently holds three seats in Parliament) but local sources
indicate that it is determined to regain its status as a "third
force" in the 2008 elections against the NDC and NPP. While such a
resurgence has seemed unlikely, the emergence of two prominent - and
wealthy - candidates may revive the party's fortunes. Given that
most analysts expect the 2008 elections to be close, the resurgence
of a serious third party could affect the results. END COMMENT.
BRIDGEWATER