NPP CANDIDATE CRITICIZES KUFUOR'S INFLUENCE OVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 002392

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
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C O R R E C T E D COPY PARA FOUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM GH
SUBJECT: NPP CANDIDATE CRITICIZES KUFUOR'S INFLUENCE OVER
CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS


Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In an October 31 meeting with POL Chief, New
Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Dan Botwe urged
foreign donors to provide more support to political parties,
complaining that Ghana's strong presidential system left
other democratic institutions, including political parties,
parliament, and regional assemblies, dangerously weak. He
criticized the NPP's selection process, including efforts by
President Kufuor to influence the NPP's choice, and said some
delegates have been bought off to support favored
individuals. He also warned that if the NPP selects an
Ashanti - the ethnic group of Kufuor and rumored Kufuor
favorite Alan Kyerematen - for the second straight time, the
party will face a serious backlash from non-Ashanti Ghanaians
when it comes time to vote. END SUMMARY.

NPP Internal Dynamics
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2. (C) POL Chief met October 31 with NPP presidential
candidate Dan Botwe. Botwe served as Minister of Information
under Kufuor until 2006, when he was removed from his
position in a cabinet shuffle, and served earlier for two
years as NPP General Secretary. He complained that the
candidate selection process for the NPP has been extremely
expensive and that the use of money in this process has
created the perception among the public that the NPP is
corrupt. Botwe said there has been widespread bribery of
potential delegates and that this "epitomizes" the level of
corruption among the party's political leadership. Botwe
said he worried that this is causing serious disaffection
among voters and is damaging the party.


3. (SBU) Botwe also noted that the campaign has been very
time consuming and that many of the current candidates who
were ministers began campaigning for the nomination in 2005,
and as a result neglected their government duties. (NOTE: In
early 2007, Kufuor forced all ministers who were planning to
run for president to resign their posts. END NOTE.) Botwe
also said that some former ministers had sponsored the
elections of many constituency, regional and national office
holders, who now have a say in the NPP candidate selection.


4. (C) Botwe was highly critical of President Kufuor's
involvement in the NPP candidate selection process,
commenting that if the NPP is to win the 2008 presidential
race, Kufuor should refrain from attempting to influence the
process. He claimed Kufuor is financing the campaign of
former Trade Minister Alan Kyermaten through corruptly
obtained funds, and that this effort is undermining the NPP's
internal democratic process. He said friction between the
party and the government is increasing ahead of the December
22 party conference and will continue if Kufuor continues to
openly support Kyermaten.


5. (C) According to Botwe, there is a strong sentiment among
NPP activists that the party should select a non-Ashanti.
Electing another Ashanti to succeed Kufuor, said Botwe, "will
play into the hands of our opponents" and cause trouble for
the NPP in the general election. Botwe added that the
dominance of the NPP by Ashantis has been a major concern for
non-Ashanti party members, and that the party would be best
served by selecting a non-Ashanti with strong party
credentials (implying that he has those qualities). Botwe
himself is from the Guan ethnic group in the Eastern Region.

NPP-NDC Tensions
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6. (SBU) Commenting on the highly negative relationship
between the NPP and the main opposition party, the National
Democratic Congress (NDC),Botwe said relations will remain
polarized as long as former President Jerry Rawlings remains
influential in the NDC. He opined that Rawlings' role will
diminish if the NDC loses the election, paving the way for a
more constructive relationship between the NDC and NPP.
However, he commented that the upcoming election would be
difficult for the NPP, and likely very close.

Botwe's strategy
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7. (SBU) In his own campaign for the nomination, Botwe is
focusing his attention on NPP delegates who will determine
the party's nominee. He contrasted that with other
candidates who are spending money on public relations and
posters, targeted toward members of the public who will have
no say in the NPP's decision. Botwe noted that he has strong
support among party activists due to his credentials as a
long-time NPP insider and former two-term party General
Secretary, going back to his student days.

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8. (SBU) Botwe said the NPP needs to rekindle its basic
values as a party, including setting clear priorities that
will translate into good government that serves "ordinary
Ghanaians." He noted that Ghana has had strong macroeconomic
performance under the NPP and has gained significant respect
among its regional and international partners, and that the
next government must build on that legacy.

Governing Philosphy
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9. (SBU) Botwe said he was concerned that the strong
executive presidency has weakened the role of political
parties and parliament. He prefers a parliamentary system of
government with strong parties, and called for increased
foreign donor support for Ghana's political parties. This
will better check the executive, and help combat patronage
and corruption, as well as foster decentralization. Botwe
described Ghana's legislature as very weak and "sycophantic."
Botwe added that he favors greater decentralization of
government power, and direct election of District Chief
Executives, which, he opined, would increase the
effectiveness of District Assemblies, foster greater
grassroots activism, and combat patronage and corruption.

Comment
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10. (C) Botwe's comments illustrate the growing perception in
Ghana of significant internal tensions within the NPP. His
remarks on the possibility that the party will again select
an Ashanti are consistent with what we have heard from other
political observers, and suggest that internal NPP divisions
could persist into the 2008 election year should the party
select Kyermaten as its flagbearer at the December party
congress. Should these divisions continue, and remain in the
public eye, it will certainly strengthen the hand of Ghana's
opposition. END COMMENT.
BRIDGEWATER