GHANA POLITICAL ROUNDUP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ACCRA 000530

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF GH
SUBJECT: GHANA POLITICAL ROUNDUP


1. SUMMARY: On April 17, former New Patriotic Party (NPP)
presidential candidate Alan Kyerematen delivered a resignation
letter to his party amidst speculation that he will launch an
independent bid for the presidency. Following weeks of intense media
speculation, NDC presidential candidate John Atta Mills selected
John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole/Bamboi, as his vice presidential
running mate. The selection was widely welcomed, with the exception
of some Muslim NDC supporters who were disappointed that Mills did
not select a Muslim candidate. The Electoral Commission (EC)
admitted to discrepancies in the voter registration list in Ashanti,
and urged support for additional local election observers. The
newly-established Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) selected a flag
bearer, while New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries have
been dogged by protests. Tension also mounted at sea, as Ghanaian
fishermen protested against the activities of Chinese fishing
vessels damaging their nets. Finally, the spiritual head of the
world Ahmadiyya Muslim community began a six-day visit to Ghana. END
SUMMARY.

Alan Kyerematen Quits NPP
--------------


2. On April 18, NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene-Ntow confirmed
media reports that Alan Kyerematen, who had hoped to be the NPP
presidential nominee, has resigned from the NPP. Kyerematen finished
second to Nana Akufo-Addo in the contest to be the party's
candidate. A former Trade and Industry Minister, Kyerematen had the
strong backing of President Kufour, and there is speculation that he
will run as an independent candidate. Ohene-Ntow said the party was
"shocked, disappointed and surprised" by Kyerematen's resignation,
and confirmed that Kyerematen's resignation letter had complained
that his supporters had been "alienated and intimidated" following
the NPP's selection of Akufo-Addo as flagbearer in December.
(COMMENT: An independent Kyerematen candidacy would have a
significant effect on the presidential race, and would undoubtedly
pull votes away from Akufo-Addo and damage the NPP's prospects. END
COMMENT). Post will report further as more information becomes
available.

Mills selects John Mahama as running mate
--------------


3. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the opposition NDC
approved unanimously John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole/Bamboi, as
Professor John Evans Atta Mills' running mate for the 2008 election.
Mahama is a northerner, a Christian from the country's most Muslim
region, a Member of Parliament since 1996, and served as Minister of
Communication in the government of former President Rawlings. Mahama
is from the Gonja ethnic group, and as such is seen as neutral in
northern ethnic conflicts.


4. Prof. Mills is expected to introduce his running mate at a
separate function yet to be scheduled. John Mahama beat out several
other candidates, including Betty Mould Iddrisu, a lawyer; Mohammed
Mumuni, Mill's previous running mate; and Minority Leader Alban
Bagbin. Mills had been under pressure from some quarters within the
party (including former First Lady Nana Rawlings) to select a woman
as running mate.

Rawlings Aide Victor Smith Dismissed
--------------

5. On April 11 former President Rawlings sacked his Special Aide and
Director of Public Affairs since 2001, Emmanuel Victor Smith. Smith,
who is a strong supporter of NDC candidate John Atta Mills, was
reportedly dismissed due to his 'obscene loyalty' to Mills and is
rumored to have provoked the anger of former First Lady Nana
Rawlings. Smith has openly supported John Mahama as against Mrs.
Rawlings' preferred choice, Betty Mould-Iddrisu.


6. Mr. Smith's dismissal was communicated to him through an SMS text
message from Mr. Rawlings which read: "Thanks for your services to
my Office, Mr. Victor Smith. Draft a press release relieving you as
staff of my office to enable you continue your political career
hopefully in the office of Prof Mills. Press announcement to be
prepared right away. Thanks and God guide you-JJR."


7. A statement from the Former President on April 14 only stated
that the reason for the removal of his special aide, Mr. Victor
Smith, was not "a matter for public consumption". It added that
Rawlings would not "be cajoled into offering an explanation because
sponsored rumor mongers are at it again churning falsehoods".


Muslim NDC members speak out against John Mahama
-------------- ---


8. A group calling itself Concerned Muslim Youth in Tamale has
spoken out against the selection of John Mahama as the party's vice
presidential candidate. The group said the selection of a Christian
partner for the Christian presidential candidate was a
miscalculation and fundamentally wrong. They pointed out that the
support base of the NDC was centered in the predominantly Muslim
north, and in Zongo communities.

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9. A week earlier, group of youth in Tamale went on a rampage
following media speculation that John Mahama would be selected. The
group, led by an NDC youth activist in Tamale, Sofo Yusif Azorka,
advocated the selection of Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, who was Mills'
running mate in 2004.


10. Nevertheless, other Muslim NDC leaders have said that it was
important for members of the party to put aside religious difference
in the collective interest of the party. (COMMENT: The challenge now
facing the NDC is how to manage the possible dissent that may
emanate from the selection of the party's vice presidential
candidate. END COMMENT).




EC urges more local election observers
--------------


11. On April 10, the Chairman of Electoral Commission (EC),Kwadwo
Afari-Gyan, called attention to the need to increase the capacity of
local election observers in anticipation of a smaller number of
foreign observers at the 2008 election. According to the EC, the
international observers are used less frequently in 'stabilized'
democracies. Given Ghana's experience in holding credible elections
since 1992, said the EC, few international observers should be
expected for the 2008 Election. Nevertheless, Afari-Gyan said local
observers were critical to ensuring free, fair and credible
elections.


DFP Selects Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi as Flagbearer
-------------- -


12. The recently established Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) on April
5 elected Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, a political unknown, as its
flagbearer for the December elections. Ansah-Antwi, a 48-year-old
marketing and communication consultant, received 868 votes,
representing 81.2 per cent of the total while veteran politician,
businessman and interim National Chairman of the DFP, Alhaji Issaka,
received 18.8 per cent of the ballots cast.


13. Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Issaka blamed Dr. Obed Asamoah, "Life
Patron of the Party," for his defeat. Issak said the election result
was evidence of the power and influence Asamoah has in the Party,
which was not ideal for its democratic development.


14. Ansah-Antwi assured DFP delegates that financing the Party's
campaign would not be a problem, and that the DFP would contest all
230 parliamentary seats. This is the first national congress for the
DFP since its formation earlier this year. The DFP was formed soon
after Asamoah lost his position as chairman of the main opposition
National Democratic Congress.

NPP parliamentary nomination dogged by protests
-------------- --


15. The ruling NPP began vetting parliamentary aspirants in the
Ashanti Region, but the process was disrupted when NPP supporters at
Subin, Nshiasu and Offinsu South constituencies staged
demonstrations at vetting venues, resulting in a temporary delay in
the process.


16. NPP supporters in the Subin constituency protested against the
candidacy of the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Isaac
Osei. In Offinso South, constituents called for primaries in the
constituency, responding to a decision by the NPP not to organize
primaries in constituencies where it won the seats through
by-elections. Constituents in Offinso South have threatened to vote
against the party if the decision is not reversed.


17. A group from the NPP's Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency
demonstrated at the NPP's Accra Regional office. The group was
opposed to what they believed was an attempt by the regional
executive to challenge the nomination of Deputy Manpower Minister,
Mrs. Frema Osei Opare, the incumbent MP. [NOTE: Deputy Minister
Frema leads GOG efforts to combat child labor in the cocoa sector,
and is a key Mission contact. END NOTE].


Ghana's Fishermen protest activities of Chinese vessels
-------------- --------------


18. The local media has reported on a conflict between Ghanaian and
Chinese fishermen along Ghana's western coastline. According to the
reports, Ghanaian fishermen have complained that their fishing nets
and gear are being destroyed by Chinese fishing trawlers. The
Chinese trawlers are alleged to use unorthodox means of fishing,
such as high voltage mercury bulbs powered by generators, to attract
and harvest fish. Ghanaian fishermen also complained that Chinese
vessels are illegally engaged in pair trawling. The Ghanaians
complained that the Ministry of Fisheries has failed to act in spite

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of the numerous requests for intervention.

Head of Ahmadiyya Muslims arrives in Ghana
--------------


19. Finally, the Supreme Head of the world Ahmadiyya Muslim
community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khalifatul Masih V, arrived in
Ghana April 15 for a six-day visit. The visit is his second to to
Ghana since becoming the spiritual head of Ahmadiyya Muslims in

2003. During his six-day visit, Hazrat Ahmad is scheduled to
participate in activities marking 100 years of Ahmadiyya Mission in
Ghana [COMMENT: The Ahmadiyya enjoy positive relations with Muslims
and other communities in Ghana, in contrast to countries where they
have been subject to discrimination. END COMMENT].