NDC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN EVANS ATTA-MILLS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000612

SIPDIS

FOR AF/W DANA BANKS/TEITELBAUM, AF/FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR PINR ECON GH
SUBJECT: NDC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN EVANS ATTA-MILLS
VOWS NDC WILL NOT COME TO POWER BY SHEDDING BLOOD; WILL
SEEK BETTER LIFE FOR ALL

REF: ACCRA 605

Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater, for reasons 1.5 (b)


1. (C) Summary. This is the second in a series reporting
the Ambassador's discussions with presidential candidates
and key interlocutors. National Democratic Party flag bearer
John Evans Atta-Mills, looking and sounding strong and
projecting energy and confidence, said he is "no one's
puppet"; the December elections will be hard fought; his
administration will put people first, be inclusive, assume
power without violence, and improve the quality of life for
Ghanaians. Mills said his government would also establish an
independent non-partisan team to oversee disbursement of oil
revenues and be open and transparent. On the international
front, Ghana will champion peace and support reform. The
African continent needs a new breed of leaders to move both
ECOWAS and the African Union forward. As for Zimbabwe, Mills
believes "Mugabe has overstayed his time, overplayed his
hand, but Tsvangirai is not a viable alternative and lacks
credibility. Americans, he said are his greatest friends.
The NDC presidential aspirant said rumors of his death were
obviously premature and that he "feels great and will lead
Ghana to fight drugs, unemployment and corruption, with a
firm faith that "God's will will be done." End summary.

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NPP Shortcomings
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2. (C) NDC flag bearer John Atta Mills, accompanied by
former Ghanaian Ambassador to the United Nations and
long-time senior advisor Kobi Awoonor, dined with the
Ambassador and the DCM on May 6 for lunch at the Residence.
Arriving a few minutes early, Mills wasted little time laying
out where the current government has fallen short and sharing
his vision for Ghana. Among the shortcomings he noted:

-- Political polarizaton has increased under Kufuor;
unemployment is on the rise, and Ghana has allowed iself to
become a center of drug trafficking in Africa, due in part to
complicity by police and other high officials. These are
concerns of Ghanaians and problems that the Government should
do something about. Drug use among youth, for example has
caused a scourge of crime and security issues. (Ambassador
informed Mills that soon our Mission would have its own Drug
Enforcement Administration Office in Ghana as an additional
resource not only for our Mission but for the country to
combat this serious problem of drug trafficking. It is not
only in the interest of Ghana, the Ambassador added, but
Africa as a whole, to not be complacent regarding narcotics
trafficking, as the many positive gains Ghana and other
countries have achieved could be easily destroyed).

-- Nepotism is at an all time high, with President Kufuor
having at least 20 close relatives as ministers or working at
the Castle or in other positions of authority. Other
examples cited were ostentatious spending for Ghana @50
celebrations, lavish outlays during the NPP presidential
nomination run up (he claimed USD 15 million),the GOG's
decision to build a "Palace" costing 50 million USD, a school
feeding program where funds end up in private accounts, and a
poor health delivery system. Turning to the impact of HIPC
funds, Mills said "one can see signboards on latrines and
classrooms" that had been constructed at a cost several times
greater than normal. Mills claimed Parliament did not review
nor decide how HIPC funds were to be used and that there is
no oversight or accountability.
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His Vision -- A better Life for All Ghanaians
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3. (C) When asked what he would do differently if elected,
Mills stated:

-- His would be a "humble, open and transparent government
that would not mismanage resources and would not be corrupt."
Ghana needs a return to social morality in government. He
would require all officials to publicly declare assets (if
the current government did this, it would make for "very
interesting public reading," he added); will promote
transparency, dialogue, champion peace and support reform.
Mills indicated that the 2008 elections will be open,
transparent, free and fair and that he and the NDC do not
simply want power for the sake of power. "We will not come
to power through bloodshed," Mills vowed.

-- The NDC would not be "vindictive" but would work to heal


the polarized political environment. There would be no
prosecution of current GOG officials, as this would not be in
the best interest of the country. (Mills cited an example in
2001 when his wife was detained by the Bureau of National
Investigation personnel on grounds Mills had received a car;
he later received an apology at this show of power by the
then newly elected NPP government.)

-- A linchpin for Mills' leadership would be to reduce the
extreme poverty and improve the quality of life for the
average Ghanaian. We must encourage business and investment
to create wealth and improve social services for the
underprivileged, he pledged.

-- His government would encourage the United States and the
diplomatic community to keep Ghana on the radar and hold the
country accountable for moneys and other development support
provided.

-- His administration would establish an independent,
multiparty group consisting also of civil society to oversee
the oil revenues. This body would report to the public on a
regular basis how much oil has been generated, how much money
is received and how and where the funds should be spent.
Representatives from all stake holders would be part of this
process. He indicated that he would use best practices from
other countries as a model. The oil revenues should be used
to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people and not end up in
personal bank accounts as has been the case in Nigeria and
other countries.

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Running Mate is First Rate
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4. (C) Mills selected John Mahama as his running mate
because he was the "best candidate." The Professor said he
did not feel compelled to name a woman for the sake of naming
a woman, but chose someone who would complement his eforts,
be humble, honest and earnest. Mahama understands team work,
something a running mate must understand, and he is confident
the two will work hand and glove with a shared vision.
(Mahama is from a Muslim family, but was educatead as a
Christian). Mills obtained approval of the Muslim community
before naming Mahama. He noted that the NDC has 70 per cent
of the nationwide Muslim votes and countrywide support --
north-south, and with youth and women.) Mills said he had no
regrets or concerns that he did not choose a popular female
party member, Betty Idrisu, who also happened to be the
choice of former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife
Nana Konadu Rawlings.

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No Faith in Electoral Commission
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5. (C) Professor Mills stated that he has no faith in the
Electoral Commisson, citing outstanding issues from the 2004
election which still have not been resolved by the courts.
Mills also recalled the recent acknowledgement by the EC that
registration records in 13 districts in Ashanti showed
inflated numbers of voters by some 600,000 names. Mills
firmly believed that someone in the EC knew what was going on
and encouraged the admission. Mills reiterated that the
Ghanaian electorate are making up their minds; that they have
invested a great deal to strengthen democracy in the country
and he doubts very seriously if there will be unrest similar
to what has happened in Kenya and Nigeria.

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Foreign Policy -- Friends Everywhere
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6. (C) Mills said that "everyone is a friend" and that he
will foster and maintain good relations with other
democracies. "Americans are my greatest friends" he noted
with a broad smile, and he promised to lead Ghana by his
personal example of a clean government that will act in the
best interest of his country always. Turning to other parts
of the continent, Mills waxed lyrical at the behavior of some
African leaders -- Obasanjo of Nigeria received strong
criticism for stealing from his country, and Mills was
chagrined by President Kufuor and ECOWAS President Chambas'
support for a third term for Obasanjo. If elected, Mills
would re-name the major Accra thoroughfare President Kufuor
named Olesegun Obasanjo Way. Moving futher south to
Zimbabwe, Mills believes Mugabe had done a lot for the
country early on, but has "now overstayed his time,


overplayed his hand and is now poised to destroy his legacy
as a freedom fighter." Southern Africa's neighbors have not
done what they should in putting pressure on Mugabe to demit
office and relieve the suffering and difficulties for
Zimbabweans. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is not,
however a viable alternative; he cannot be trusted, lacks
credibility and someone else must be selected soon to lead
Zimbabwe. The African continent must have a new breed of
leaders, to move both the AU and ECOWAS forward. Mills
recalled how heads of state attend AU summits ill-prepared on
agenda items, late, and in too many instances, only for
protocol or to serve other personal interests.

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Comment
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7. (C) Professor Mills projected energy and confidence
throughout. A clear message permeating the discussion was
that he had distanced himself from Jerry Rawlings and that he
was not afraid to do so. Mills is in the NDC driver's seat,
and barring unforeseen circumstances, plans to stay there
until the December poll. (Note: There are rumors that
Rawlings cliques may try to force Mills to step down on
health grounds. Mills confided that he is thinner now
because he "gave up beer" owing to sinus problems, and lost
weight in the process. End note.) Mills' views on the
economy, drugs, unemployment and corruption are in synergy
with his rivals. The true test will come, if he is elected,
in how effectively he will be able to implement his plans.
The NDC launched its campaign May 7 with a huge rally in
Accra, and we witnessed large crowds of enthusiastic
supporters at the National Theatre. Mills will campaign as
"Mr. Clean," hoping that this image and his previous record
will help propel him into the Presidency. End comment.
BRIDGEWATER