FORMER TRADE MINISTER PREDICTS 2008 PRESIDENTIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000623

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO AF/W:DBANKS/TEITELBAUM, AF/FO FROM AMBASSADOR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2018
TAGS: ECON GH PGOV PINR PREL SNAR
SUBJECT: FORMER TRADE MINISTER PREDICTS 2008 PRESIDENTIAL
VICTORY WILL BE GREAT CHALLENGE FOR NPP

REF: A. ACCRA 618


B. ACCRA 612

C. ACCRA 605

Classified By: AMBASSADOR PAMELA E. BRIDGEWATER FOR REASON 1.5 (B) AND
(D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The former Minister of Trade and leading
candidate for the New Patriotic Party presidential nomination
Alan Kyerematen discussed a wide range of topics during lunch
at my residence on May 9. Alan Kyerematen fought a hard,
strong battle, coming in second against 17 NPP candidates,
many of whom were his former colleague Ministers. He lost
narrowly to Nana Akufo-Addo in the NPP's December 2007 party
congress. Alan Kyerematen had canvassed on a more populist
agenda than usual for the NPP, promising to create more jobs
and wealth for the majority of Ghanaian citizens. He was
commonly referred to as "Cash K," as there were reports that
he was doling out "envelopes" far and wide. It was an open
secret that Kyerematen was President Kufuor's preferred
choice. In late April Alan Kyerematen resigned from the NPP
claiming that procedures during the congress and nominating
process were incorrect. There were reports of his return,
and subsequent rejection of these reports before Kyerematen
finally confirmed that he "was back." The return of Alan
Kyerematen followed a series of meetings and brokered
discussions with high level party operatives, and included a
meeting with Kufuor and Akufo-Addo. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Alan Kyerematen smiled broadly when the topic of his
resignation surfaced. Kyerematen said simply that "important
procedures" had not been handled properly during the party's
congress and that he felt these matters had to be settled
soon and thoroughly if the party was to maximize its chances
to guarantee victory in the presidential and legislative
election set for December 2008. Kyerematen said it is
"extremely difficult" (but not impossible) for a party that
has served two back-to-back terms in power to be re-elected
easily. It is simply a factor of the voting population
wanting to "give another party a chance to govern." He
admitted also that for all its success, international
accolades, positive economic indicators, and gains, sovereign
credit ratings, etc. and other accomplishments, the NPP had
"not sufficiently met the needs of everyday Ghanaians."
That, he said, would be his party's greatest challenge: to
convince Ghanaians in the villages and regions to vote the
NPP back into power.


3. (C) Flag bearer Akufo-Addo must work diligently to
"soften" his image and appear more genuinely people-oriented,
Kyerematen averred. He said that a conservative party like
the NPP would be even more challenged at this period because
of the worldwide economic crises, rising food and oil prices,
and the hardship faced by less advantaged Ghanaians in
purchasing basic food stuffs and other essential commodities.
Kyerematen indicated that he is working with Akufo-Addo to
forge strategies that the electorate will perceive to be more
"people friendly." He said that the NDC's launch on last
Thursday had been a huge, lively turnout - larger than in
recent memory. The choice of John Mahama, a Member of
Parliament respected across party and geographic lines was a
"brilliant" strategic move on the part of NDC presidential
candidate Atta Mills, Kyerematen added. The NPP thus must
craft its campaign launch carefully to show its strength and
project a positive message of hope. He said he would be
fully on board to lend his charismatic personality to the
party's campaign. He also said that the door-to-door
strategy of Atta Mills was a good strategy (he had said this
earlier while still a candidate),and thought the NPP should
engage in similar people-to-people outreach throughout the
country. Ghana's population needs to know that candidates
want to meet with and hear their concerns consistently, and
not just during campaign times to hand out tee shirts and
bags of rice.


4. (C) Turning to external topics, Ghana, like other
countries, has come under the "spell of China." Kyerematen
believes that China has a master, long-term plan to ensure
that it has the oil and other resources such as timber and
natural resources for its billions of people. He criticized
Ghana for accepting soft loans without analyzing thoroughly
enough the consequences and "fine print." Developing as well
as developed countries "must keep their eye on China,"
because the negative impact and implications of some of
China's engagement policies will be felt in Africa and
elsewhere quicker than people realize. Leaders in Africa
have got to get a firmer grip on the reality of rapid and
large scale engagement with China to ensure they retain

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integrity and security of their products, brands,
infrastructure projects and intellectual property, Kyerematen
warned.


5. (U) We discussed at length the need to "brand" Kente
cloth and only being able to refer to a product as "Kente"
with its intricate, unique patterns, if the product or cloth
is made in Ghana. Kyerematen said he recognized this, and
would work with the current Minister of Trade Joe
Baidoo-Ansah to "really get moving" on protecting the
intellectual property of Ghanaian Kente. Before we know it,
"genuine" Kente will have a 'Made in China' label. (NOTE:
The GoG Golden Jubilee Organizing Committee was criticized
for purchasing printed Kente patterned fabric for its
official Ghana @50 signature cloth. END NOTE.)


6. (SBU) Alan Kyerematen said that relations with the U.S.
were better than ever, with the two presidents of Ghana and
the U.S. enjoying unprecedented numbers of meetings, sharing
a personal affinity and warm personal relationship. In
response to his question about a changed U.S. presidency
(whether party or individual),I told Kyerematen that I
believed our bilateral relations would remain strong, and
that the next U.S. administration would reinforce outreach
and positive interaction between our two countries. I added
that our relationship is primed to continue to grow from
strength to strength, adding that whoever wins in the U.S.
presidential election would undoubtedly continue to value and
support the bilateral relationship between our countries and
work to continue consolidating Ghana's democracy and economic
progress.


7. (C) COMMENT: Alan Kyerematen - The former Ambassador to
the U.S. was his charismatic upbeat self, exuding his
trademark warm persona and openness. Behind the exterior,
however, there was clearly disappointment not just in his
loss of the nomination, but in "lost" opportunities for the
NPP during the last eight years. While he pledged full
support for his party and its candidate, the "heart" did not
seem to be where his words were. Alan Kyerematen will have
his work cut out to get his supporters to put the same energy
into support for Nana Akufo-Addo. We think Kyerematen will
do the necessary but like nearly all other interlocutors, no
one predicts a first round victory for either major party.
END COMMENT.
BRIDGEWATER